Former cricketer Basit Ali drops hint on Test captaincy shake-up

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sparked fresh speculation over the national team’s future leadership by suggesting a new face could soon take over as Test captain — and possibly lead Pakistan across all formats.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Basit offered his congratulations to Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, strongly hinting at his potential appointment as Pakistan’s new all-format skipper. His post came as a surprise, especially with recent reports pointing to Saud Shakeel as the frontrunner to replace Shan Masood in the Test role.

Saud, who is currently the Test vice-captain, has been at the centre of discussions surrounding a leadership shake-up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). But Basit’s bold statement has added a twist to the ongoing debate, fueling uncertainty about who will ultimately get the nod.

So far, the PCB has not made any official announcement, but sources suggest a final decision is around the corner. While Saud remains a strong candidate, internal talks are also focused on broader changes — including adjustments to the Test coaching staff.

Shan Masood, who was handed the Test captaincy in November 2023, has faced criticism for poor results. Under his leadership, Pakistan have played 12 Tests, winning just three while losing nine.

The team’s performance in the current ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 cycle has also been underwhelming. Pakistan sit at the bottom of the table in ninth place, following whitewashes against Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa. Their only bright spots have been series wins over Sri Lanka and England, along with a drawn contest against the West Indies.

Pakistan’s next red-ball assignment is scheduled for October 2025, when South Africa will tour the country for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is — a series that could mark the beginning of a new era in leadership.