Determined to start well against England: Shan Masood

LAHORE: Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood emphasised his commitment to supporting his players and focusing on team-building ahead of the upcoming Test series against England.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Masood expressed optimism despite recent setbacks, including a disappointing series against Bangladesh, and stressed the importance of backing his players through difficult phases.

Masood acknowledged that Pakistan’s results over the past year, particularly in the Bangladesh series, were not up to par, stating, “We lost on critical occasions, but we accept responsibility and are preparing for better outcomes.” He highlighted the mental and physical demands of Test cricket and made it clear that there would be no compromise on fitness within the squad.

Reflecting on the team’s recent performances, Masood emphasised the importance of continuity, stating, “It’s easy to make changes after a loss, but if we want to move forward, we must back our players.” He pointed out that the players are deeply regretful of their recent losses but remain determined to achieve better results.

Preparations for the series against England have been rigorous, with the team carefully monitoring fitness levels, especially after the Champions One-Day Cup. Masood remarked, “We’ve learned a lot about our physical and mental condition, and improvements are needed if we want to compete at the highest level.”

The return of Aamir Jamal from injury has been a positive development for the team, and Masood confirmed that the current squad was selected based on player fitness. However, he noted that spinner Zahid Mahmood might join the squad for the first Test, depending on conditions in Multan. The captain stressed that both the Rawalpindi and Multan pitches would be closely examined before finalizing the playing XI, with a balance between spinners and fast bowlers being a key consideration.

Masood reiterated his confidence in wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan but also highlighted the team’s efforts to groom young wicketkeepers for the future. He praised Babar Azam, defending him against recent criticism and underscoring his importance to the team, saying, “Babar is one of the best batsmen in the world, and we need to give him time.”

Looking ahead to the England series, Masood noted that the team is determined to get off to a strong start in the first Test and adapt to the challenging weather and pitch conditions in Multan. He concluded by addressing the pressure of captaincy, stating, “Captaincy is not a charity, it’s a job. If we deliver good results, we will stay. If not, someone else will come.”