Pakistan’s Test cricket setup has made a controversial decision that has left fans and analysts puzzled: Shan Masood, the country’s highest run-scorer over the past two years, will not be part of the squad facing Bangladesh in the upcoming two-Test series.
The 37-year-old left-handed batter has been informed he no longer features in the team’s future plans, despite compiling an impressive statistical record that outshines nearly every other Pakistani batter in recent times. Since the start of 2023, Masood has accumulated 773 runs in Test cricket, placing him ahead of star names like Babar Azam, who scored 720 runs, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who managed 643 runs during the same period.
Masood’s recent form has been particularly strong. He scored 95 runs in his final Test innings against England and averaged around 40 last year with 397 runs across five matches. This year alone, he added 376 runs in six Tests before being dropped.
While fitness concerns have been cited as one reason for his absence, sources close to the situation suggest the decision runs deeper. New Test coach Mike Hesson has reportedly chosen to build the team around younger talent, signaling a generational shift in Pakistan’s red-ball cricket strategy.
However, the selection policy has raised eyebrows due to apparent inconsistencies. While the 37-year-old Masood has been deemed too old for future plans, 36-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has been included in the squad, prompting questions about whether age is truly the determining factor.
Insiders suggest Masood’s relationship with cricket authorities may have deteriorated following his removal from the Test captaincy earlier this year. The Pakistan Cricket Board had appointed him as a consultant for International Cricket and Players’ Affairs, but Masood chose to continue his playing career instead of taking up administrative duties.
Reports indicate that during a meeting with PCB officials, Masood made critical comments about certain administrators. When these remarks reached the officials in question, they allegedly turned against the batter, leading to his exclusion at the earliest opportunity.
Masood’s absence from the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class competition, has further fueled speculation about his cricketing future.
The decision to drop Pakistan’s most productive Test batter has ignited fierce debate among cricket followers across the country. Many fans are questioning whether performance alone is enough to secure a place in the national team, or whether off-field relationships and politics play an equally significant role.
As Pakistan prepares for the Bangladesh series under new coaching leadership, the Masood situation serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in international cricket, even for those delivering consistent results on the field.
