Babar Azam Reinstated as Pakistan Test Captain

Why the Change Comes as a Surprise

Pakistan have brought back Babar Azam to lead the Test side just weeks before the West Indies tour. The move follows a sudden decision by the PCB to strip Shan Masood of the captaincy. Babar will now captain the side for a two‑Test series that begins on July 13 and for the subsequent three‑Test series in England.

Ramiz Raja Defends Shan Masood

Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja has openly questioned the board’s choice, calling Shan’s removal unfair. In a YouTube interview, Raja said, “You give him an ordinary Test team and then expect him to produce good results.” He added that if he were Shan, he would have lodged a written protest about being given a weak squad. “If the standard of the Test squad is not good, how is the captain only responsible for this?” he argued.

Shan’s Record and the Selector’s Comment

Shan Masood held the captaincy for 16 Tests starting in December 2023, losing 12 of them. Senior selector Aqib Javed recently blamed Shan’s leadership for those defeats, a view Raja rejects. “A captain can only perform as well as the players available to him,” Raja said, echoing concerns about assigning sole responsibility. The criticism has intensified debate over how much of a team’s performance should be pinned on the skipper.

What It Means for the Upcoming Tours

The reinstatement puts Babar Azam back at the helm for a busy calendar that includes the Caribbean and England. Pakistan will aim to turn the page on a stretch of 12 losses in 16 Tests. With both tours being key fixtures on the ICC calendar, the board’s decision could shape the direction of Pakistan cricket for the rest of the year.