The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to make major changes to the national team setup following another disappointing Test series defeat to Bangladesh last month.
A key meeting is expected to take place at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, where PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will receive a detailed briefing from the team management on Pakistan’s latest red-ball setback. Test captain Shan Masood, the coaching staff and High-Performance Director Aaqib Javed are expected to attend the meeting.
According to several reports, Shan Masood is likely to be replaced as Test captain by T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha. Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is also being considered for an important role in the PCB’s cricket structure, most likely as director of international cricket.
Salman Ali Agha has led Pakistan in 46 matches, winning 27 and losing 17. However, his own performances as an all-rounder have remained below expectations, raising concerns that the additional responsibility of Test captaincy could increase the pressure on him.
The expected changes come at a time when several key administrative positions in the PCB remain unsettled. The post of director of international cricket has been vacant since Usman Wahla was removed several months ago, but the board has still not advertised the position on its official website.
The domestic cricket department is also without a permanent director after Abdullah Khurram Niazi was transferred to the Capital Development Authority (CDA). At present, the department is being run by two senior general managers.
There are also unconfirmed reports that Abdullah continues to handle domestic cricket affairs as a consultant to the PCB chairman. However, the PCB’s media department has not confirmed the claim.
Shan Masood, who was appointed Test captain in 2023 by then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, has struggled to deliver results. Pakistan have played 16 Tests under his leadership and lost 12 of them.
The PCB had earlier shown confidence in Shan Masood by giving him the additional responsibility of director of international cricket. However, the decision was reversed within days after it became clear that the role required full-time administrative attention alongside his playing commitments.
Aaqib Javed’s position as selector and director high-performance is also expected to come under scrutiny. Over the past two years, he has served in several roles, including selector, occasional head coach and National Cricket Academy director, but Pakistan’s performances during this period have remained below expectations.
The team failed to make an impact in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which was hosted by Pakistan, and also had a disappointing campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan had also struggled in the 2024 T20 World Cup when former Test fast bowler Wahab Riaz was overseeing cricket affairs.
Despite making repeated changes to the captaincy, selection committee and coaching staff since taking charge on February 6, 2024, Mohsin Naqvi has little to show in terms of Pakistan’s on-field results.
