Shan Masood Calls Victory Against England an ‘Important Win for Pakistan Cricket’

Pakistan captain Shan Masood has led his team to a significant home Test victory, marking their first win in nearly four years. The triumph, which saw England bowled out for just 144 runs, provided a much-needed morale boost for Pakistan and Masood, who celebrated his inaugural Test win as captain.

“This was a very important win for Pakistan cricket,” Masood stated after the match. He reflected on the team’s recent performance, saying, “The recent results were unacceptable. There is relief. This is a long process and journey. It won’t be fixed overnight. It’s been three years and ten months since we last won a Test at home, and that’s not acceptable for Pakistan cricket. We pride ourselves on how well we play this game and how we see ourselves as a team. For us to get a result and hopefully start something here in our own conditions is exciting.”

Following an innings defeat that increased scrutiny on Masood’s captaincy, the newly established selection committee made bold changes to Pakistan’s strategy. Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were replaced by spinners Zahid Mahmood, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali. The decision to reuse the same pitch from the first Test proved beneficial.

Masood emphasized the crucial focus on taking 20 wickets, a non-negotiable requirement in Test cricket. “I said that in defeat, and I’ll say it in victory: 20 wickets is non-negotiable in Test matches,” he asserted.

“Today, we were solely focused on how to take eight wickets,” Masood explained. “Since I’ve come in, we’ve had no issue taking risks. We’ve tried to play cricket that brings results, even if it has led to losses in the past.”

As they prepare for the third Test in Rawalpindi, a venue typically not conducive to spin, Masood expressed hope for a pitch that would align with their strategy. “I would like it to spin. We’re hoping the sun can play its part and the wicket can be on the drier side,” he stated.

As Pakistan seeks to build on this momentum, the team remains focused on adapting strategies to secure victories, always with the goal of taking 20 wickets in mind.