Shan Masood’s latest fitness concerns have left the Pakistan national cricket team and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed in a dilemma as the touring team aims to level the ongoing two-match Test series after suffering a crushing 90-run defeat in the first Test against the West Indies.
Pakistan opener Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the current West Indies tour as well as the England tour due to a serious back injury. Hence, they cannot afford another defeat as they are set to face England in a crucial three-match Test series next month. Meanwhile, Mohammad Aamir has raised questions on making Babar Azam the Test captain of Pakistan.
Pakistan is under pressure due to Shan Masood’s injury before winning the second test against West Indies.
As Shan Masood is short of time for the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies starting on Sunday, August 2 in Port of Spain, Sarfaraz Ahmed has decided to keep all the cards under wraps when asked about his replacement for the final WTC Test.
The Pakistan national cricket team has already included Abdullah Shafiq and Saud Shakeel in its Test squad ahead of the second match against West Indies and England tour, but there is still no confirmation whether any of them will play in Port of Spain or not.
The team management is keeping everyone guessing on the final playing XI as Masood has not yet been officially ruled out of the second and final Test against the West Indies.
Abdullah Shafiq and Saud Shakeel? Sarfaraz Ahmed refused to share the plans
Well, Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has made it clear that no final decision has been taken yet on whether Abdullah Shafiq or Saud Shakeel will replace Masood and said that the team management will decide the playing eleven before the match.
The coach made it clear that everyone will know the playing eleven only at the time of the toss. Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars vs San Francisco Unicorns match prediction: Who will win today’s Global Super League 2026 match?
Sarfaraz Ahmed said in the press conference, “We will take a decision before the next match. You will know at the time of the toss.”
Pakistan lost the first test due to Shan Masood’s injury: Sarfaraz Ahmed
The red-ball head coach also admitted that Shan Masood’s injury played a big role in Pakistan’s crushing defeat against West Indies in the first Test. However, the former Pakistan captain praised the pitch used for the first Test, saying that it was an excellent wicket for Test cricket.
Sarfaraz said, “Shan Masood scored a brilliant century in the first innings, but he got injured while batting. We had to suffer for it in the second innings as he was unable to bat in his normal position. As far as the pitch is concerned, I think it was a great Test match wicket.”
It offered a lot for both the batsmen and bowlers, making it a great contest. The credit goes to the ground staff for preparing such a wonderful surface for this Test match.”
Shan Masood’s heroic century ends in heartbreak after finger fracture
During the first Test, Masood suffered a fracture in his finger after being hit on his hand by the fast ball of West Indies fast bowler Jaden Seales.
Despite the injury, the former Pakistan captain showed great determination and completed his century before scans confirmed a fracture.
Due to injury, he was forced to bat lower in the second innings, where he could score only 3 runs in 15 balls and Pakistan was all out for 120 runs while chasing the target of 211 runs.
