Pakistan’s national cricket team continues to face intense scrutiny following their heavy defeat to England in the first Test in Multan.
Among the latest critics is former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, who publicly questioned the leadership capabilities of current Test captain, Shan Masood.
Speaking at a public event, Younis Khan, without directly naming Masood, raised concerns about his qualifications for the role.
Younis suggested that Masood’s appointment seemed to be based more on his communication skills rather than his leadership abilities, stating, “There are no qualities to lead a team in an individual, neither is he leadership material… yet he has been given the responsibilities.”
The former captain continued his pointed remarks, criticizing what he described as a problematic mentality within Pakistan’s cricketing circles, where decisions are made based on criteria unrelated to on-field performance.
He remarked, “Just because people feel he listens to us, speaks good English, Urdu, and Pashto, they make him captain. Please, get rid of this thinking.”
Younis’s harsh comments come at a time when Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes are at a low ebb. The team’s crushing defeat against England marked their sixth consecutive Test loss, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings.
In response to the team’s poor form, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made significant changes ahead of the remaining Tests in the series. Former captain Babar Azam, who has been struggling with form, has been dropped from the squad for the second and third Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi.
Additionally, key pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have been rested as part of a broader strategy to manage the team’s workload.
As the team grapples with leadership debates and tactical changes, the pressure on Pakistan to turn their fortunes around grows, especially with their World Test Championship campaign all but over.
