Former Pakistan Test Captain Reportedly Falls Out of Favor With Selectors

Shan Masood, the former Pakistan Test captain, reportedly finds himself out of favor with the selectors and team management. Despite being the country's leading run-scorer in Test cricket since January 2025, Masood has been left out of Pakistan's squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. The 37-year-old, who is not fully fit, has been told he is no longer part of the team's future plans.

With Mike Hesson now coaching the team's Tests, there has been a shift towards younger players. Masood's exclusion has sparked questions, especially considering his recent batting performances. He scored 95 runs in his last Test match against England and has 773 runs since January 2025, the most by any Pakistani batter in this period.

Babar Azam is second with 720 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan follows with 643 runs. The decision to drop Masood has also raised concerns about the team's age policy, as veteran fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has been retained despite both players being among Pakistan's top performers. Reports suggest that Masood's relationship with PCB officials may have played a role in his exclusion.

He criticized certain individuals during a meeting with board officials, which reportedly led to his dismissal at the first opportunity. Masood had previously been removed from the Test captaincy due to Pakistan's poor performances. He served as a consultant for International Cricket and Players’ Affairs last year but chose to focus on his playing career instead. Masood is currently not participating in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.