PAK vs ENG: Shan Masood vows to back players despite defeat in Bangladesh Tests

Pakistan’s Test team captain, Shan Masood, has highlighted the significance of the upcoming series against England, calling it a vital opportunity for the team to improve. After a disappointing series against Bangladesh, Masood remains hopeful for better outcomes.

In a press conference, he emphasized the need to support players, especially after losses, saying, “It’s easy to make changes after a loss, but we must back our players to move forward.” He believes that continuity is essential for building a strong team.

Masood acknowledged the team’s regret over recent defeats and their determination to perform better. He mentioned that the Champions One-Day Cup has provided insights into the players’ fitness levels, stating, “We’ve learned a lot about our physical and mental condition, and improvements are needed.”

As captain, Masood finds losing challenging. He noted that the team had chances against Bangladesh but couldn’t capitalize on them. Looking forward, he stressed that improving mental and physical fitness is crucial for competing at the highest level. “To become a top Test side, we need to enhance our conditioning to match other leading teams globally,” he said.

He also addressed Aamir Jamal’s return from injury, explaining that the current squad was selected based on player fitness. Zahid Mahmood is set to join the pre-Test camp as a backup player. The final squad for the first Test will be trimmed to 15 players.

Squad for the 1st Test: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi.