Ahmad Shehzad Takes Aim at Shan Masood’s Captaincy After Pakistan’s Loss to Bangladesh
The Pakistan cricket team suffered a historic setback to Bangladesh on Sunday, their first Test loss against the country in 14 games, and is currently dealing with intense criticism.
Supporters and analysts are now more disappointed and frustrated with skipper Shan Masood, whose leadership is currently being questioned, than with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team administration.
During the Test match in Rawalpindi, Pakistani batsman Ahmad Shehzad openly questioned Masood’s ability to lead. He did not hold back in his criticism of the captain. Masood’s performance as a batter and captain was attacked by Shehzad, who also charged that he didn’t comprehend the fundamentals of Test cricket.
In a video shared on social media platform X, Shehzad expressed his dismay at how fans are now losing interest in watching Pakistan play cricket.
“Whenever Pakistan has a match, people turn off their TVs. And this is something I’m telling you from the public’s perspective. If you go to the people, you will understand what they are saying. You can’t control the fans anymore,” Sheh said.
Shehzad went on to criticize Masood’s tactical decisions during the game, including his selection of the playing XI and his inability to read the pitch correctly.
“You are the captain of the Pakistan team now, but there is no clarity about your vision. There’s no understanding of your playing XI. You couldn’t even read the pitch. You didn’t play a spinner. The excuses you gave in the press conference, about managing player workloads with a fourth fast bowler, were incorrect. The brand of cricket we want to play, you explained it wrong,” Shehzad stated.
Further questioning Masood’s leadership qualities, Shehzad remarked, “Aapki apni performance kuch nahi hai.
Koi leadership skills aapne dikhayi nahi is pure match ke ander ke. Samajh aati hai aapki bowlers ne performance nahi kiya, unka caliber yahi hai. Samajh aati he ki aapki batsmen ne bura khele paanchwe din, caliber yehi hai. Lekin aap ne bhi as a leader kuch nahi kiya [Your own performance is nothing. You did not show any leadership skills throughout the match. I understand if your bowlers underperformed-that’s their caliber. I understand if your batsmen played poorly on the fifth day-that’s their level.But as a leader, you did nothing].”
In Test cricket, Shehzad underlined the value of intelligence and strategic planning. “There is a lot to do and ample time in Test cricket, but knowledge is necessary for it. You must possess intelligence.
To apply these concepts to your players, you must have a thorough understanding of them. How are you going to mentor your players if you lack the necessary knowledge yourself? He went on, “You start making forced decisions, moving fielders around needlessly, trying to show you’re doing something when there are some small victories, like a small partnership.”
Shehzad was direct in his concluding words regarding Masood’s inadequacies as a captain, stating, “You’re just trying to cover your face. The issue is that every choice has a thought process, and you are unaware of this process. We are aware of your ignorance. Nevertheless, you lead the Pakistani team as captain.”
Shehzad’s harsh remarks echo the mounting dissatisfaction and disillusionment among supporters and the cricketing community. The pressure is on Masood and the team to turn things around as Pakistan prepares to play Bangladesh once more in the second Test.
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