Pakistan cricket has once again turned to one of its biggest stars, with Babar Azam returning as the country’s Test captain following the removal of Shan Masood from the role. The decision, announced alongside Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, marks another significant leadership change in Pakistan cricket and highlights the team’s ongoing search for stability in the longest format of the game.

Shan Masood’s tenure as Test captain comes to an end after a difficult and statistically disappointing period. Despite moments of personal success with the bat, the left-handed batter was unable to guide Pakistan to consistent results, ultimately leading the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make a change ahead of a crucial phase in their Test calendar.

A Challenging Captaincy Tenure Ends

When Shan Masood was appointed Pakistan’s Test captain nearly three years ago, there was optimism that his leadership style and experience would help rebuild the national side in red-ball cricket. However, the results never matched expectations.

Masood captained Pakistan in 16 Test matches, losing 12 of them—a record that places his tenure among the least successful in the history of Test captaincy. No captain in Test cricket history has lost as many as 12 of their first 16 Tests. Pakistan also endured a seven-match losing streak under his leadership, equalling the country’s longest run of defeats in the format.

The disappointing numbers ultimately proved difficult to ignore. Pakistan finished at the bottom of the World Test Championship 2023-25 standings, winning just one of the seven Test series played under Masood’s captaincy. While there were flashes of competitiveness, the team repeatedly failed to capitalize on favorable positions.

Pakistan’s High-Performance Director, Aqib Javed, explained that the decision was based not only on the results but also on recurring issues that emerged during crucial moments of matches.

According to Aqib, Pakistan often found themselves in winning positions but lacked the ability to close out games effectively. He specifically highlighted instances such as Pakistan’s defeat in Centurion against South Africa, where the opposition’s lower-order batters added a crucial partnership after Pakistan had gained control of the match. Similar concerns surfaced during the home Test series against the West Indies and South Africa.

The PCB management ultimately concluded that a leadership change was necessary to improve decision-making, tactical execution, and overall match management.

A Difficult Journey From the Beginning

Masood’s captaincy journey began under challenging circumstances with a tour of Australia, historically one of the toughest assignments for visiting teams. Pakistan suffered a 3-0 series defeat, setting the tone for a difficult tenure.

Things worsened when Pakistan lost a home Test series to Bangladesh for the first time in their history, a result that shocked both fans and former players. Although Pakistan later produced an impressive comeback victory against England, that series proved to be the only major success during Masood’s leadership.

Despite the team’s struggles, Masood’s individual performances showed noticeable improvement after assuming captaincy responsibilities. Before becoming captain, he averaged 28.51 in Test cricket. During his tenure as skipper, that average rose to over 34, reflecting increased consistency and responsibility.

His batting performances included two Test centuries, one of which came during a challenging tour of South Africa, along with seven half-centuries. His fighting knocks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground also earned praise, demonstrating that his place in the side remains justified based on performance rather than captaincy credentials.

Aqib Javed emphasized that the decision to remove Masood as captain should not be viewed as a judgment on his abilities as a player.

“Shan’s personal performances have been satisfactory, but the leadership results were not what we expected,” Aqib noted while explaining the rationale behind the decision.

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Pakistan Turns Back to a Familiar Leader

The decision to reappoint Babar Azam as Test captain reflects both the PCB’s confidence in his leadership abilities and the limited alternatives currently available within Pakistan cricket.

Babar previously served as Pakistan’s Test captain until 2023 and enjoyed considerably greater success than his successor. During his earlier tenure, Pakistan won 10 out of the 20 Tests he captained, including memorable series victories against South Africa, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Under Babar’s leadership, Pakistan developed a reputation for resilience, particularly in overseas conditions. The team achieved historic successes, including a clean sweep in Bangladesh and a series victory in Sri Lanka, while also competing strongly in the World Test Championship cycle.

However, Babar’s captaincy journey was not without setbacks. The most significant disappointment came when England inflicted a historic 3-0 whitewash on Pakistan at home—the first such home whitewash in Pakistan’s Test history. That defeat, along with broader administrative changes within Pakistan cricket, eventually led to his resignation from leadership duties.

Can Captaincy Revive Babar’s Form?

Babar Azam’s return to the captaincy comes at a time when questions continue to surround his recent batting form, particularly in Test cricket.

Since relinquishing the captaincy, Babar’s performances in the longest format have declined noticeably. Under Shan Masood’s leadership, he averaged just over 27 in Test matches, well below the exceptionally high standards he established earlier in his career.

Ironically, some of Babar’s finest batting performances came while he was leading Pakistan. During his first stint as Test captain, he averaged more than 50, establishing himself as one of the world’s premier batters across all formats.

The PCB will hope that returning leadership responsibilities to Babar may help reignite both his confidence and his run-scoring abilities. His experience, stature, and understanding of the team’s dynamics remain valuable assets as Pakistan prepare for a demanding schedule.

A Crucial Period Ahead

Babar Azam returns to the captaincy at a particularly important time for Pakistan’s Test team. The upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies represents the first challenge of what promises to be a busy and defining period.

Immediately after the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will travel to England for a three-match Test series, marking their first red-ball tour of England in six years. Historically, English conditions have tested Pakistan teams significantly, making the series an important benchmark for the new leadership setup.

The challenges do not end there. Pakistan’s home season will feature Test series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, providing multiple opportunities to rebuild confidence and improve their standing in international cricket.

A Fresh Start or a Familiar Gamble?

Pakistan cricket has often relied on leadership changes as a solution to on-field struggles. The return of Babar Azam represents both a safe choice and a calculated gamble.

On one hand, Babar remains one of Pakistan’s most accomplished cricketers and previously enjoyed success as captain. On the other hand, the circumstances that led to his initial departure have not entirely disappeared, and expectations will once again be enormous.

For Shan Masood, the end of his captaincy chapter closes a difficult period defined more by disappointing results than individual performances. For Babar Azam, however, a new challenge begins: restoring Pakistan’s competitiveness in Test cricket and proving that his return to leadership can inspire a turnaround.

As Pakistan prepare for a demanding international schedule, all eyes will now be on whether this leadership change can deliver the results that the team, management, and millions of supporters desperately seek.