Babar Azam Test Captain: The Second Stint (2026)
Three years after stepping down, Babar Azam is Pakistan’s Test captain again. This is the story of his second stint: why Shan Masood was removed, how the England tour went, and whether Babar can succeed where his first tenure ended.
Quick answer: Babar Azam was reappointed Pakistan Test captain in July 2026, replacing Shan Masood (12 defeats in 16 Tests). His second stint began with the West Indies and England tours; England won 3–0 and Babar managed 97 runs in 4 innings. The PCB has promised him a 2–3 year run.
Why Masood Was Removed
Shan Masood captained 16 Tests and lost 12 — no captain in Test history had lost 12 of his first 16. High-performance director Aaqib Javed cited the repetitive failure to close out winning positions (Centurion vs South Africa, Multan vs West Indies) and on-field management (over rates, DRS, toss calls). Masood stays in the squad as a player.
Babar’s First Stint
Babar previously led Pakistan in 20 Tests (2021–23), winning 10 and losing 6 — a respectable record that made him the straightforward choice. He stepped down from all-format captaincy in late 2023; Masood succeeded him in Tests.
The England Tour
- Missed the Headingley Test through injury — Salman Ali Agha captained (and was then dropped).
- Returned “90% fit” for Lord’s; scored 97 runs in 4 innings across the series.
- Said the post-Lord’s squad overhaul was “news to him” — drawing a famous rebuke from Wasim Akram (“were you here to sell chickpeas?”).
- The PCB’s plan: a 2–3 year run to rebuild, without series-by-series judgment.
More: Test squad guide · England tour squad · coaching setup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Babar Azam Pakistan’s Test captain?
Yes — reappointed in July 2026 for his second stint, replacing Shan Masood.
Why was Shan Masood removed as Test captain?
He lost 12 of 16 Tests as captain, with repeated failures to close out winning positions. The PCB wanted a captain who could “lead the team better,” in Aaqib Javed’s words.
How did Babar Azam perform on the England tour?
Poorly by his standards — 97 runs in 4 innings across the 3–0 whitewash, missing the first Test through injury.
