KARACHI: Pakistan’s red-ball rebuild under Shaun Masood has drawn much attention after another disappointing overseas campaign, with the left-handed batsman now shouldering one of the toughest Test captaincy positions in recent Pakistan history.
Appointed as Pakistan’s Test captain until the end of 2023 following Babar Azam’s resignation, Masood has been tasked with reviving a struggling red-ball side and building a long-term Test identity.
However, nearly three years into his tenure, results have often not matched expectations.
Since taking charge, Masood has led Pakistan in seven Test series and 16 matches overall. In those seven series, Pakistan managed to secure only one win – a 2-1 home win against England in 2024.
Apart from that lone win, Pakistan have suffered a series of painful defeats at home and abroad, raising serious questions about the team’s direction and stability in the longer format.
A rough start in Australia
Masood’s captaincy began under very challenging circumstances during the 2023-24 Benat-Qadir Trophy against the Australian national cricket team.
Pakistan entered the series hoping to show signs of improvement in unfamiliar conditions, but the tour soon turned into a harsh reality check.
The three-match series, played between December 2023 and January 2024, ended in a 3–0 whitewash in favor of Australia.
Pakistan showed signs of fight throughout the series but failed to capitalize on strong moments several times, with batting collapses and inconsistent bowling costing them in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Despite Masood contributing valuable runs during the tour, Pakistan’s inability to compete revealed the depth of the challenges facing the new captain and team management.
Historic defeat against Bangladesh
If the Australian tour is considered a tough start, Pakistan’s next big setback is even more dangerous.
In August–September 2024, the Bangladesh national cricket team toured Pakistan for a two-match Test series in Rawalpindi and created history by recording a stunning 2–0 whitewash of the hosts.
These defeats marked one of the lowest moments in Pakistan’s recent Test history. Bangladesh outplayed Pakistan in all fields, showing more discipline with both bat and ball, while Pakistan struggled under pressure in familiar home conditions.
The result of the series intensified criticism surrounding Pakistan’s team selection, tactical planning and mental approach to red-ball cricket. And significantly, it brought Masood’s leadership under severe scrutiny for the first time since assuming the captaincy.
The South Africa tour widens the protests
Pakistan’s problems continued during the tour of South Africa later that year.
The two-match Test series played between December 2024 and January 2025 at Centurion and Cape Town once again ended in a comprehensive 2–0 defeat for Pakistan.
Facing South Africa in their home conditions has historically been a difficult challenge, but Pakistan’s performances have once again highlighted their inability to sustain pressure for five days.
Batting inconsistency remained a persistent issue, while the bowling attack struggled to deliver breakthroughs at crucial moments. .
Blended Housing Campaigns in 2025
Pakistan finally managed to avoid another series defeat in January 2025 when the West Indies cricket team toured the country.
The two-match series in Multan seemed to offer signs of recovery after Pakistan’s victory in the opening Test.
However, hopes of building momentum were short-lived as the visitors came back strongly to win the second Test by 120 runs and level the series 1-1.
Later that year, South Africa returned to Pakistan for another two-match series played in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Pakistan once again proved inconsistent throughout the campaign.
After winning the opening Test, they failed to maintain control and lost the second match, resulting in another series draw.
While those drawn matches prevented further series defeats, they also reinforced concerns about Pakistan’s inability to dominate at home – once considered their greatest strength in Test cricket.
Bangladesh inflicted yet another historic blow
Pakistan entered the first Test series of 2026 hoping to start the year on a positive note, but the campaign turned out to be another historic disappointment.
The Bangladesh national cricket team defeated Pakistan 2-0 to win a Test series at home for the first time against a national team.
The series not only highlighted Bangladesh’s remarkable improvement in red-ball cricket, but also deepened concerns about Pakistan’s decline in form.
The defeats again exposed familiar weaknesses within the team, including poor batting performance, lack of consistency from senior players and inability to respond in pressure situations.
For Masud, the series marks another major setback in an increasingly difficult captaincy.
The numbers reflect Pakistan’s decline
The statistics further underscore the extent of Pakistan’s struggles under Masood’s leadership.
In 16 Tests as captain, Masood has overseen just four wins while suffering 12 losses, with a win percentage of just 25 per cent.
Of the seven Test series Pakistan played under him, only one ended in victory:
- Australia (Away, 2023-24) — Lost 3-0
- Bangladesh (Home, 2024) — Lost 2-0
- England (Home, 2024) – Won 2-1
- South Africa (Away, 2024-25) — Lost 2-0
- West Indies (Home, 2025) – Draw 1-1
- South Africa (Home, 2025) – Draw 1-1
- Bangladesh (Away, 2026) — Lost 2-0
Despite the disappointing results, instead of pursuing short-term fixes, Masood continued to talk about long-term planning, stability and rebuilding Pakistan’s Test structure.
The leadership debate intensifies
With another tough series now behind them, the coming months will be decisive for Masood’s future as Pakistan’s red-ball captain.
Whether the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opts for continuity or another leadership change, one thing is clear – stability, direction and consistent performance are urgently needed for Pakistan’s Test team at the highest level.
Pakistan is scheduled to tour the West Indies for a two-match Test series from July 15 to August 7, with matches to be played at the Queen’s Park Oval and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (PLCA).
The national team will then tour England for a three-match Test series from August 19 to September 13, with the matches scheduled to be played in Leeds, Lord’s and Birmingham respectively.
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