Shan Masood, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has been facing heavy criticism after his team’s poor performance in the Test series against Bangladesh. Pakistan, playing on their home ground, was whitewashed by Bangladesh, leading to many questions about Masood’s leadership and batting skills. Despite the backlash, Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in support of Masood, suggesting that he has the potential to be a strong leader.
Bangladesh Stuns Pakistan
Pakistan’s shocking loss to Bangladesh took many cricket fans and experts by surprise. The series, played in Rawalpindi, saw Pakistan suffer defeats in both matches. Bangladesh won the first Test by 10 wickets, marking their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan. They followed this with a 6-wicket win in the second Test, completing a 2-0 sweep.
While Pakistan’s poor overall performance was the center of attention, much of the criticism fell on Shan Masood. His captaincy was under scrutiny, as was his form with the bat. Alongside him, key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi also failed to deliver, adding to the team’s troubles.
Ashwin Backs Shan Masood
Amid the criticism, Ravichandran Ashwin, a respected figure in Indian cricket, offered his support to Shan Masood. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised Masood as a thoughtful and logical cricketer. He acknowledged the tough situation Masood is currently facing but expressed confidence that he could grow into a great captain over time.
Ashwin pointed out that leading the Pakistani team is not an easy task, especially given the current state of the dressing room. One of the challenges, according to Ashwin, is the absence of Babar Azam as the captain. Although Babar is still a crucial player and the face of Pakistan cricket, the transition of leadership from Babar to Shan has made things unsettled within the team.
Babar Azam’s Role in the Team
Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers, stepped down from the Test captaincy last year after the team’s disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup. Shan Masood was chosen to replace him as the Test captain, while Babar later returned as the captain of the T20 team. Despite this, many believe that Babar’s absence as the leader of the Test side has created some instability in the team, making Shan’s job even more difficult.
Pakistan’s Struggles Under Shan Masood
Since taking over as Test captain, Shan Masood has had a challenging time. Pakistan has lost all five Test matches under his leadership. The troubles began with a 0-3 defeat against Australia, and now the embarrassing loss to Bangladesh has intensified the pressure on Masood.
Pakistan’s fans, media, and even former cricketers have been critical of Masood’s performance, both as a captain and a batsman. However, Ashwin believes that these difficulties do not define Masood’s potential. He suggests that Masood can still prove himself as a capable leader, but he needs time and support to adjust and guide the team through this rough phase.
Ravichandran Ashwin Reacts to Pakistan’s Crushing Test Defeat Against Bangladesh
Upcoming Challenges for Shan Masood
Shan Masood’s next big test will come in October when England is set to tour Pakistan for a three-match Test series. This series will be another crucial opportunity for Masood to turn things around and prove his critics wrong. With the support of experienced players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, along with his own determination, Masood will look to lead Pakistan to a much-needed victory.
