Islamabad, Oct 1: England Test series Shan Masood optimistic for future despite Bangladesh setback
“It’s easy to make changes after a loss, but if we want to progress, we must support our players,” Masood stated during a press conference.
The national team is set to face England in a three-match Test series starting October 7 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
The second match will also take place at Multan, while the third is scheduled for October 24-28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This home series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.
Masood acknowledged the players’ deep regret over the recent defeats and their determination to improve results. “We’ve learned a lot about our physical and mental states, and it’s evident that improvements are necessary,” he noted.
Regarding his leadership role, Masood admitted that losing is tough, stating, “As a captain, it feels terrible when the team loses. It wasn’t the best start, but accountability is part of defeat.
He highlighted that the team had multiple chances to seize control during the Bangladesh series but failed to capitalize.
“If Pakistan aims to be a top Test team, we need to make significant strides in both physical and mental fitness. Our conditioning must align with that of other leading teams globally,” he emphasized the critical role of fitness in Test cricket.
Masood also mentioned Aamir Jamal’s return from injury, clarifying that the current Test squad was selected based on player fitness. “For now, we’ve constructed the squad for one Test, considering the players’ fitness levels. If needed, Zahid Mahmood will be included,” he explained.
Notably, Mahmood will join the pre-Test camp in Multan as the 16th player, but the final squad will be reduced to 15 for the first Test.
