Islamabad: The captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Shan Masood, outlined the areas that his team needs to enhance in order to ascend to the ranks of top contenders in red-ball cricket, as they prepare to face England in a three-match series.
Pakistan is currently navigating a challenging phase in red-ball cricket since Shan Masood took over as the team's skipper following the departure of Babar Azam the previous year.
Under Masood's leadership, Pakistan has suffered a 3-0 series defeat at the hands of Australia at the conclusion of last year's tour. This marked Masood's debut as captain in a Test match on home soil, and it was the first time in the format that the hosts were defeated by Bangladesh.
Following these disappointing performances, Pakistan has faced significant criticism. Masood acknowledges the need for substantial improvements in both physical and mental fitness to establish Pakistan as a formidable force in Test cricket.
"To rise to the top in Test cricket, we must significantly enhance our physical and mental conditioning. Our conditioning must match that of other leading teams globally. We have gained insights into our physical and mental preparedness, and it is evident that there are areas that require attention," Masood stated during a press conference, as reported by Geo News.
After a historic loss to Bangladesh, Pakistan selected a similar team lineup for their upcoming three-match Test series against England.
While several former cricketers have called for changes within the team, Masood emphasizes the importance of supporting the players as a key strategy for progress.
"It's challenging to implement changes after a defeat, but for our advancement, we must stand by our players," Masood added.
With two consecutive series defeats, Masood has faced a difficult period as the skipper of the Pakistan Test team. Reflecting on his tenure, Masood admits that it has not been the smoothest start to his captaincy.
"Losing a match as captain is disheartening. It wasn't the best start, but it's important to remember that accountability comes with defeat," Masood noted.
In terms of squad selection, Pakistan has adopted a new strategy for the upcoming matches. This time, they have named the squad for the opening Test match, rather than the entire series.
Masood explained the rationale behind this approach, stating, "For the present, we have assembled the squad for one Test, taking into account the fitness levels of the players. Should the need arise, Zahid Mahmood will be brought into the squad."
Pakistan's first match is scheduled for October 7 in Multan, with the second Test match to be played in Multan on October 15. The final Test match will be held from October 24 to 28 in Rawalpindi.
