As Pakistan prepares for their upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, former cricketer Basit Ali has issued some significant advice to the current Pakistan Test captain, Shan Masood. The series, set to commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi, holds substantial importance for both teams as they aim to solidify their standings on the WTC points table.
Shan Masood, who is leading Pakistan in red-ball cricket for the second time, had his first experience as captain against Australia last year. As the team readies for the challenge against Bangladesh, Basit Ali has suggested a strategic change for Masood, specifically urging him to reconsider his current batting position.
Basit emphasized that Masood should take up the role of an opener in all formats rather than batting at number three, a position he currently occupies. “Shan Masood, I strongly advise you to stop playing at No. 3,” Basit stated. “When I first observed your game, I recommended you use a longer bat. Now, I am advising you to open the batting across all formats. Batting at No. 3 could be detrimental to both your performance and Pakistan’s success.”
In the lead-up to the series, Masood held a press conference where he reflected on his stint with Yorkshire and the experience of playing with the Kookaburra ball during his County matches. However, Basit Ali expressed concerns over Masood’s references to his time in England, suggesting that the captain’s focus should remain firmly on the challenges facing the national team.
“Shan spoke about Yorkshire in his recent press conference, mentioning how rain affects matches there and highlighting players like Joe Root and Harry Brook,” Basit noted. “But I want to remind him that he is the captain of Pakistan, not Yorkshire. He should focus on the strengths of his own team, which includes players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah.”
Basit also pointed out the significant differences between the conditions in England and Pakistan, advising Masood to avoid drawing comparisons between the two. “There is a substantial difference between playing on Pakistani pitches and those in England,” Basit added. “Rather than talking about the Kookaburra ball and conditions abroad, Masood should focus on the challenges his team will face on home soil.”
As Pakistan’s captain, Masood’s approach and decisions in the upcoming series will be closely watched. Whether he takes Basit Ali’s advice to heart and adjusts his batting strategy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the series against Bangladesh will be a crucial test of his leadership and batting prowess.
