Iqbal Qasim Ponders Captaincy Change: Will Saud Shakeel Truly Improve Pakistan’s Test Fortunes?

Former Pakistan Test spinner Iqbal Qasim has expressed reservations regarding Saud Shakeel potentially replacing Shan Masood as Test captain. He cautioned against attributing Pakistan’s recent Test defeats solely to Masood’s leadership.

In a recent interview, Qasim voiced his concerns about the frequent captaincy changes within Pakistan cricket. He highlighted a pattern where players are appointed as captains only to be replaced shortly thereafter.

Addressing the suggestions to replace Shan Masood with Saud Shakeel as the red-ball captain, he questioned whether such a decision would guarantee improved outcomes for the team.

Doubts Over Shakeel’s Captaincy Credentials

“If Saud Shakeel is given the captaincy in place of Shan Masood, what assurance do we have that he will lead the team to victories? How often has he captained a team before?” Qasim inquired.

“If the captain is replaced, should we also consider changing other players?” he further questioned.

Qasim noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially appointed Shan Masood as captain on a trial basis. He believes Masood has been steadily growing into the role and argued that changing the captain now might not lead to substantial improvements.

“If Saud Shakeel takes over, he will likely face similar challenges to Shan Masood,” Qasim stated. “In my view, a captaincy change will not significantly impact the team’s performance.”

Qasim’s Take on Babar Azam

Regarding Babar Azam, Qasim praised the former Pakistan captain as a talented and consistent player. However, he acknowledged that all batsmen experience fluctuations in form.

“Babar Azam is a gifted player, but there comes a time when every batter’s form dips,” he said. “At this juncture, Babar will have to determine if he wishes to continue playing T20I cricket. If he is dedicated to this format, he will need to adjust to its demands. Otherwise, he has the potential to excel in Test and ODI cricket for many more years.”

Qasim concluded by emphasizing the importance of supporting Babar Azam, describing him as a valuable asset to the nation.

“Pakistan has invested significantly in Babar Azam. It is our collective responsibility to encourage him, not discourage him with criticism,” he added.

Background on Shan Masood’s Captaincy

Shan Masood was appointed Pakistan’s Test captain in November 2023. However, his tenure has been marked by inconsistent results. Under his leadership, Pakistan participated in 12 Test matches, securing only three victories while suffering nine defeats.

The team’s performance in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 was underwhelming, as they finished ninth in the points table.

Pakistan endured series whitewashes against Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa. They managed to secure series wins against Sri Lanka and England, along with a drawn series against the West Indies.

Shan’s inability to deliver consistent performances and make impactful tactical decisions has raised concerns among selectors and team management.

Saud Shakeel’s Credentials

In contrast, Saud Shakeel has emerged as a reliable Test batsman for Pakistan, maintaining an average above 50 since his debut.

His composure and consistency have been impressive, qualities highly valued by the PCB for Pakistan’s red-ball future.

His leadership abilities were evident in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, where he led the Quetta Gladiators to the top of the points table with six wins in nine matches, securing a spot in the playoffs.

The potential captaincy change is seen as part of a broader team reset following Pakistan’s disappointing WTC campaign.

Pakistan’s next Test series is scheduled for October 2025, when South Africa will tour the country for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.