LAHORE: All-rounder Salman Ali Agha is being considered to replace experienced top-order batsman Shaun Masood as the Pakistan Test captain should the latter resign or be removed from the role, sources told Geo Super on Friday.

After the Green Shirts lost by 78 runs in the recently concluded Sylhet Test against Bangladesh, which marked their fourth consecutive defeat against the opposition, communication between the players and captain Masood was minimal, according to insiders.

Sources further shared that during the national team’s homecoming tour, Masood did not socialize with his fellow teammates and instead spent time with his family.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Test slump worsened following back-to-back clean sweep defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, leaving Masood’s future as captain uncertain and Agha being considered to take over the captaincy should he resign or be sacked, insiders suggested.

Notably, Pakistan do not play Test cricket until July this year when they tour the West Indies for a two-match series, while their next international assignment is a three-match home ODI series against Australia, scheduled from May 30 to June 4.

As a result, a portion of the recently released ODI squad will report in Islamabad today, while the training camp for the upcoming series is scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi the next day.

On the other hand, the Australian team for the Pakistan series is going to the capital tomorrow.

The upcoming bilateral ODI series will mark Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in the 50-over format since March and April 2022, with the Men in Green winning the series 2-1.

Earlier this year, Australia toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in January and February, where the hosts completed a 3-0 clean sweep at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

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