Pakistan Test team skipper Shan Masood on Monday said optimistic for the future despite disappointing whitewash against Bangladesh as a two-match red-ball series against England starts this week.
“It is easy to make changes after a loss, but if we are to move forward, we must back our players, said Masood during a news conference on Tuesday.
The skipper remarks come as the national side is set to take on England in a three-match Test series against England, starting October 7 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
The second game will also take place at the second venue, while the third game is scheduled from 24 to 28 October at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
In fact, it was a part of the ICC World Test Championship for 2023-25.
These losses upset the players a lot, and we are eager to ensure that the results in the remaining games turn out to be different,” said the red-ball captain.
“We have returned very informed of our physical and mental condition, and surely improvements are needed,” he added.
Elaborating further on his role of being the team’s skipper, Masood conceded that losing is always tough and said: “I am a captain; it feels terrible when the team loses. It wasn’t the ideal start; accountability comes with defeat.”
He also pointed out his team had many chances to take a lead against Bangladesh, which they failed to convert.
“If Pakistan want to become a top Test side, we need to bring about an overall improvement in both physical and mental fitness. Our conditioning needs to be as good as that of other top teams of the world.” So said the left-handed batter, while trying to drive home the point that both mental and physical fitness are crucial, especially in Test cricket.
He also spoke about Aamir Jamal’s return from injury, suggesting that the current Test squads are picked based on the player’s fitness. “For the time being, we’ve selected the squad for one Test, keeping in view the players’ fitness level. Meanwhile, if needed, Zahid Mahmood would be called in the squad,” Masood said. He concluded his remarks by saying that though professional sports can be pressurizing, no player in the world likes to lose. It is to be noted that Mahmood will actually be the 16th player who has joined the pre-test camp in Multan, as the final test team squad will go back to a total of 15 players.
