Skipper Shan Masood credits Nahid Rana and urges long-term batting resilience
By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has taken full accountability for the national side’s defeat in the opening Test against Bangladesh, stating he will not deflect blame onto individuals but will shoulder the responsibility as leader.
Addressing the media in a post-match press conference, Masood acknowledged that returning to the longest format after a prolonged hiatus is inherently challenging, contributing to the team’s struggles on the field.
The captain offered high praise for Bangladeshi pacer Nahid Rana, noting that Rana’s strategic execution and disciplined bowling kept the Pakistani batting lineup under persistent pressure.
Masood expressed disappointment over the result, admitting that while he expected set batsmen to convert their starts into substantial innings, the failure to do so proved costly. He remarked that had the key batsmen occupied the crease longer, the team could have successfully steered the match toward a draw.
Despite the loss, Masood found a silver lining in the performances of the newcomers. He described the contributions of Azan Awais and Abdullah Afzal as “encouraging signs for the future.” Highlighting Afzal’s resilience, the captain revealed that the youngster suffered a blow to the head during a morning training session but showed remarkable courage by continuing to play, a gesture Masood deemed highly commendable.
Reflecting on the match dynamics, the skipper refused to single out any department for failure, instead noting that the team made concerted efforts across various sessions. However, he identified the partnership between Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque as the definitive turning point that shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts.
Commenting on the surface at Mirpur, Masood characterized it as an “excellent Test wicket” that offered a balanced contest where spinners effectively complemented the fast bowlers. He noted that the team’s strategy was well-aligned with the conditions, and the match appeared to be within their grasp until the Tea break on the final day.
Concluding his remarks, Masood acknowledged that emotions run high following a defeat, but emphasized the necessity of learning from tactical errors.
He vowed that the team would strive for a significantly improved performance in the second Test, focusing on rectifying past mistakes and adapting more swiftly to the demands of international Test cricket despite scheduling gaps.
