Pressure mounts on Shan Masood as Pakistan’s Test struggles deepen

Pakistan’s ongoing red-ball decline has reignited debate around leadership, with captain Shan Masood facing increasing scrutiny after a string of disappointing results in the longest format.

Since taking over the Test captaincy, Masood has managed just four wins in 15 matches while suffering 11 defeats — a record that has raised serious questions about Pakistan’s direction in red-ball cricket. The contrast with his predecessor Babar Azam is becoming harder to ignore. Babar stepped down after leading Pakistan to the top of the World Test Championship standings, having secured two wins in two matches against Sri Lanka, and finished his tenure with 10 wins, six losses, and four draws in 20 Tests.

Under Masood’s leadership, however, Pakistan’s fortunes have sharply declined. The team ended the last World Test Championship cycle at the bottom of the table, a dramatic fall from their earlier position among the frontrunners.

What has further concerned analysts and fans alike is the nature of Pakistan’s defeats. On multiple occasions, the team has failed to capitalise on dominant positions. Against Australia, Pakistan lost despite reducing the opposition to 16 for 4. A similar collapse followed against Bangladesh after having them 26 for 6, while a narrow chase against South Africa slipped away even after the opposition was struggling at 99 for 8.

Adding to the criticism is Pakistan’s poor record away from home. Masood is yet to register a single Test victory on foreign soil as captain, a statistic that continues to weigh heavily on his tenure.

The recent 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in Mirpur marked Pakistan’s third consecutive Test loss against the same opposition — an unprecedented slide that has intensified calls for accountability within the team’s leadership group.

While team management has often pointed to transitional phases and rebuilding efforts, critics argue that repeated tactical errors, inability to close out matches, and lack of consistency reflect deeper issues in on-field decision-making.

With pressure mounting from fans and former players, the question surrounding Masood’s captaincy is no longer hypothetical. As Pakistan prepare for upcoming assignments, selectors and the board may soon be forced to evaluate whether a change in leadership is necessary to revive the team’s red-ball fortunes.