RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Red Ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has expressed confidence in former captain Shan Masood, praising his professionalism, dedication during rehabilitation and positive attitude after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Speaking at a recent media conference ahead of Pakistan’s two-match Test series against the West Indies, Sarfaraz said he had extensive discussions with Shaun and was impressed by the left-hander’s dedication throughout his rehabilitation.
He also expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Batter ahead of the upcoming assignments in Pakistan.
“I had a good chat with Shaun. He is a very confident player and he has prepared well. Although he has a hamstring problem and needs to rest for a couple of weeks, his attitude has been great. He has completed his rehab well and has shown great progress in the last few weeks and Alhamdulillah, he is fit now,” Sarfaraz said.
The former wicketkeeper backed Shaun’s leadership and experience, insisting his importance to the team extends beyond the captaincy.
Acknowledging that fluctuations in form are a natural part of the game, Sarfaraz insisted that Shaun’s maturity, cricketing acumen and years of service to Pakistan make him a key figure in the dressing room.
“Shaun has already contributed as a captain and I hope he will continue to contribute as a player. He is an experienced, intelligent senior cricketer who knows how to manage things. Like every player, form may fluctuate but he continues to represent Pakistan and I hope his performances will benefit the team in the upcoming series,” he said.
Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently appointed star batsman Babar Azam as Pakistan’s new Test captain, replacing Shaun Masood ahead of the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England.
The announcement was made during a press conference held by the PCB’s national selection committee at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where the squads for the two tours were announced.
Babar returns to the role with an impressive record in the longest format as Pakistan’s captain from 2020 to 2023. He led the team in 20 Test matches, recording 10 wins, six losses and four draws.
Masood was appointed Test captain ahead of Pakistan’s 2023 tour of Australia, where his tenure began with a 3–0 series defeat. He led the national team in 16 Tests, winning four and losing 12, with a win percentage of 25.
During his tenure, Pakistan lost the series 2–0 at home to Bangladesh, one of the team’s most disappointing Test results in recent years.
For the uninitiated, Pakistan are scheduled to leave for the West Indies on July 13, where they will play a four-day practice match from July 18.
The two-match Test series will be held in Trinidad and Tobago, with the opening Test scheduled from July 25 to 29 and the second Test from August 2 to 6.