Shan Masood Defends Pakistan’s Spin-Centric Strategy: “We Will Do What It Takes to Win”

Pakistan’s Test captain, Shan Masood, has staunchly defended his team’s decision to produce spin-friendly pitches for their home series. Following Pakistan’s 127-run victory in the shortest-ever Test match, Masood addressed the media and emphasized that the team’s focus remains on taking 20 wickets to secure victories, even if it means sacrificing traditional batting milestones.

“We will do what we need to take 20 wickets and win the match,” Masood said. “It’s a new approach for us, but we made this change during the England series because we wanted to win. Let’s appreciate the bowlers who consistently delivered 20 wickets for us.”

Since their loss to England in October, Pakistan has shifted their pitch strategy, opting for dry, spin-friendly surfaces. This approach has yielded significant results. The team’s spinners, especially Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, have dominated the opposition, with no wickets falling to seam bowlers in the last three Tests, all of which resulted in convincing wins for Pakistan.

Masood explained that while individual batting achievements might not look impressive, the team’s overall performance was stronger. “We sacrificed individual milestones for team results. Our batters played better than the West Indies and England, even though they may not have scored big hundreds or fifties. Just like we need to be flexible with our playing style, viewers should also adapt their thinking,” he stated.

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Despite the success of this strategy, Masood made it clear that Pakistan plans to stick with it for the foreseeable future, especially with an eye on the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle ahead. The team faces a softer draw, with home series against South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, as well as away series against the West Indies, England, and Bangladesh. The captain emphasized that winning all home games will be key to securing a spot in the 2027 WTC final.

Masood also addressed concerns about his team’s fast bowling and the impact of preparing spin-friendly pitches. He assured that Pakistan’s seamers would get their chance in conditions suited to fast bowling, like in England or the West Indies, where they’ll face challenges with the Dukes ball. “We can prepare seam-friendly pitches when subcontinent teams come here,” he added. “No one’s role is being diminished.”

Looking ahead, Masood expressed frustration over the lack of Test matches, with only two scheduled in the next 14 months. He stressed the importance of consistent cricket, both internationally and domestically, to ensure the team is ready for upcoming challenges.

“I’ve raised this issue multiple times. A nation like Pakistan cannot only play 4-5 Tests a year,” Masood said. “We need to ensure our players are ready for the South Africa series in October. The next 10 months are crucial for our team’s development.”

Masood’s comments reflect his determination to prioritize results over conventional expectations, as Pakistan continues to rely on their spin-dominated strategy for success.

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