For me, Pakistan is priority: Skipper Shan Masood on being given category D central contract

For me, Pakistan is priority: Skipper Shan Masood on being given category D central contract

Pakistan is set to tour Australia for the 3-match Test series against Australia. Shan Masood, at the age of 34, was recently appointed as the Pakistan Test team’s captain after Babar Azam chose to step down as captain across formats. Pakistan’s tour to Australia will be Masood’s first assignment as a skipper.

Pakistan have never won any Test match in Australia in the 12 times they have toured Australia. In fact, Pakistan have lost 14 Test matches straight in a row to Australia.

During the pre-departure press conference, Shan Masood was asked about captaining Pakistan with him being centrally contracted in Category D by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Masood seemed unfazed by the category he has been contracted in, and went on to say that it didn’t matter to him, his focus is on his team.

“For me, Pakistan has been the priority. Categories do not matter to me, being centrally contracted is a huge honour. I am relishing the opportunity and making strides. It does not matter to me in what category I am placed, as that is the discretion of the selection committee,” said Masood.

Masood made his Test debut a decade ago but never managed to cement his place in the side. He was repeatedly dropped from the team due to inconsistent performances. Eventually, he went on to spend lengthy periods out of the side. He made a return to the Test side for Pakistan last year during the series against England followed by New Zealand. Against Sri Lanka, Masood scored his first half century after 17 innings this year.

Masood has shown confidence in changing Pakistan’s poor Test record against Australia at their home.

“When you have not achieved something in history, then you have an opportunity to change it. So we will make an effort to produce positive results for Pakistan and for the World Test championship,” said Masood.

After their 2-0 win against Sri Lanka in two Test matches, Pakistan are currently at top of the World Test Championship’s 2025 points table. India are currently placed in the 2nd position, followed by Australia.

Australia will be coming into the Test match riding high on confidence, not just on their great home record against Pakistan but also because of their recent ODI World Cup 2023 and World Test Championship 2023 win, earlier this year. The 3-match Test series starts from December 14 in Perth.

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