Who will lead Pakistan cricket team in red-ball format?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to retain Shan Masood as the Test captain after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

Sources revealed on Saturday that the board's management is dissatisfied with Babar Azam’s leadership, particularly after the team's poor performance in the tournament.

Masood is set to lead Pakistan in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh in August. Additionally, Australian coach Jason Gillespie will assume his role as head coach for the Bangladesh series, marking his first assignment with the Green Shirts.

Babar Azam, appointed as the white-ball captain in 2019 and Test skipper in 2020, has not secured any ICC or Asia Cup titles under his captaincy. 

Following a dismal showing in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, former PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the white-ball captain. However, this change was short-lived, as Mohsin Naqvi, the new PCB chief, reinstated Babar as the white-ball skipper on March 31. Despite this, the decision regarding the Test captaincy remained pending.

Previously, the PCB's management had given Masood the Test captaincy, and there were speculations that Babar might reclaim the position. However, recent performances have quashed these hopes.

On Friday, Pakistan's elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024 was confirmed after the United States vs. Ireland match was called off due to a wet outfield at Central Broward Regional Park, Florida. 

Although Pakistan has one remaining match against Ireland, it will be a mere formality, as the team is already out of the tournament.