Ramiz Raja on Shan Masood Captaincy: Why Babar Azam Faces the Same Pakistan Test Challenge
Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has defended Shan Masood and criticised the board’s decision to remove him as Pakistan’s Test captain.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz said Masood was given an average squad and then made “a scapegoat” when results failed to follow.
“If I were in Shan Masood‘s position, I would have lodged a formal written complaint,” Ramiz said. “No captain can be expected to deliver significantly better results without a stronger team.”
Why Ramiz Raja Believes Shan Masood Was Not Responsible for Pakistan’s Test Losses
Ramiz’s argument is not about defending Masood’s record. It is about who was responsible for it.
Masood lost 12 of 16 Tests as captain. That record is the worst for any Pakistan captain in that position. But the squad he inherited included a batting lineup that averaged under 32 in Tests across that period, a pace attack managing just 0.95 percent of deliveries above 140 km/h (second lowest among Test nations since March 2024), and no specialist leg-spinner after Yasir Shah’s retirement.
Read More: Pakistan’s Leg-Spin Problem: Who Bowls in England 2026?
Ramiz’s point is that judging a captain only by results without examining the squad he was given is a convenient way for the board to avoid accountability
Babar Azam Faces Similar Pressure After Pakistan Test Squad Selection
Ramiz Raja also warned that Babar Azam could face the same criticism if Pakistan’s results do not improve.
Pakistan’s West Indies Test squad contains four uncapped players, while key names such as Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Afridi are missing. The team will also rely on an uncapped left-arm spinner as a major slow bowling option.
Ramiz believes Babar’s return as Test captain could become difficult if Pakistan struggle against West Indies and later enter the England series under pressure.
Which Is the Problem the Pakistan Test Captain or the Team?
Ramiz is not wrong about the squad quality. He is partly wrong about Masood’s responsibility.
Masood’s tactical decisions were questioned repeatedly, particularly over-rate management (which cost Pakistan eight WTC points in Dhaka), bowling changes in the Bangladesh home series, and the failure to adapt game plans mid-series.
A captain who wins with good squads but cannot manage a weaker one is still accountable for the outcomes.
Both things can be true. The squad was average. The captaincy was also below the standard required for a difficult rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ramiz Raja defend Shan Masood? Ramiz Raja said Shan Masood was handed an average squad and made a scapegoat when results failed to improve. He argued no captain could deliver significantly better results without a stronger team and said he would have lodged a formal written complaint in Masood’s position.
Is Babar Azam at risk of the same fate as Shan Masood? Ramiz Raja warned that Babar Azam could face similar challenges if the West Indies Test squad fails to perform. The squad for the tour includes four uncapped players and is missing key players including Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Afridi.
