|| CF DESK ||

Shan Masood, the Test captain of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of playing with a positive intent to secure victories in the upcoming two Test matches against Bangladesh. These matches are crucial for Pakistan as they aim to improve their standings in the World Test Championship (WTC).

With the WTC cycle running from 2023 to the summer of 2025 in England, Pakistan has already played five matches, winning two, and has nine matches left in this cycle. Masood highlighted that winning most of these remaining matches is vital for Pakistan's chances in the championship.

“If we have to compete in the World Test Championship then we will have to win [matches] and for a victory [players in] every department — batting, bowling or fielding — will have to show some positive intent,” Masood said.

Regarding the team dynamics, Masood acknowledged that while there have been significant changes in the team management, the core group of players remains largely unchanged.

In response to a query, the Test skipper admitted that a lot of changes had taken place in the team management. However, he said, players were mostly the same.

“So mindset, I don’t think, would be much changed,” Masood said, giving example of the 2023 Test series in Sri Lanka, wherein Pakistan conclusively demolished their opponents.

“If you look at the Sri Lanka series that we won in their home ground last year, we had changed our mindset as a batting unit. Our bowlers also gave remarkable performances, as not only spinners, but our fast bowlers also took scalps there,” he said.

Masood said the team’s core was almost the same. The main set of players was the same, with some changes in the squad, he added, reminding everyone that an exciting opportunity lied ahead of them.

Masood said they would not take Bangladesh lightly.

“We will try to go and play with the same mindset. We will make an effort to bring about a positive result for the country. The team is trying its level best to prepare for the Bangladesh series,” he said.

The two Test matches against Bangladesh are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi from August 21 to August 25, and in Karachi from August 30 to September 3, 2024.