Shan Masood\u2019s captaincy future remains uncertain as Pakistan prepare for upcoming Test tours
\n KARACHI
\nFormer Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has reportedly been cleared to continue as head coach for Pakistan\u2019s upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.
\nSarfaraz recently led Pakistan in his first assignment as Test head coach during last month\u2019s Bangladesh tour, where the hosts defeated the national side 2-0 to claim their first-ever home whitewash against Pakistan.
\nMeanwhile, the future of Test captain Shan Masood remains uncertain, although he is still under strong consideration for selection on both tours. Sources suggest that despite ongoing ambiguity over leadership, Masood remains in contention for the role, with a final decision yet to be made.
\nThe left-handed batter, who has featured in 46 Tests and captained Pakistan in 16 matches, has worked under multiple head coaches during his leadership tenure.
\nHe has also led Pakistan in seven Test series, winning only one, losing four, and drawing two. He is currently placed in the Pakistan Cricket Board\u2019s (PCB) \u201cD category\u201d for captains.
\nSources further added that T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, who has represented Pakistan in 25 Tests, is set to embark on his maiden England tour as part of the Test squad.
\nMasood previously toured England in 2016 and 2020 and also brings leadership experience from county cricket, having captained Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
\nAccording to reports, his familiarity with English conditions and the media environment could prove valuable for Pakistan during the series.
\nMeanwhile, Salman Ali Agha is understood to have strong backing from key figures within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) think-tank. A final decision regarding Masood\u2019s continuation as captain or possible removal is yet to be taken, sources added.
\nIt is pertinent to mention that Pakistan are scheduled to play a two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25\u201329 and August 2\u20136.
\nThe Test tour of England is expected to begin on August 19 at Headingley, followed by matches at Lord\u2019s on August 27 and Edgbaston on September 9, although the official schedule is yet to be formally confirmed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Shan Masood\u2019s captaincy future remains uncertain as Pakistan prepare for upcoming Test tours KARACHI Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has reportedly been cleared to continue as head coach for Pakistan\u2019s upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England, sources told Geo News on Wednesday. Sarfaraz recently led Pakistan in his first assignment as Test […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":550623,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n