Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood has outlined a strategic plan for his team’s journey to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final following a dominant win over the West Indies in the first Test on Sunday.
In a recent press conference, Masood shared his optimism about Pakistan’s future in the championship, highlighting the importance of consistency and strategic planning in their upcoming matches.
The captain emphasized that playing more Test matches is key to advancing in the competition. “We must strive to play more Test matches,” Masood said.
Masood also responded to criticism regarding the pitch quality in Multan, urging the focus to shift away from surface conditions and instead be placed on the team’s overall strategy for the ICC World Test Championship.
“People need to stop focusing on the pitch,” he asserted. “We have a strategy for the World Test Championship, and it’s not about the pitch conditions. Our plan involves six series in the championship—three at home and three away. If we can consistently win at home and secure at least one victory and one draw in away series, we’ll be in a strong position to reach the final,” he explained.
Reflecting on his team’s approach to varying pitch conditions, Masood acknowledged that each surface presents its own challenges, and it’s important not to overly worry when specific departments struggle.
“Sometimes pitches favor batters or spinners, and that’s a natural variation of the game,” he added. “We will continue to play with this mindset and appreciate our performance. If one department, like the fast bowlers, doesn’t find assistance on a particular pitch, it’s not a concern. Every surface behaves differently, and we play according to those conditions, just like other nations do.”
Ramiz Reflects on Historic Test Win Against West Indies
Former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s historic win, which marked the shortest Test match in the nation’s history, lasting just 125 overs against the West Indies. On his YouTube channel, Ramiz praised the team’s dominant performance and the vital role of spinners in dismantling the opposition.
“Pakistan took this Test match with authority,” Ramiz said. “The square-turning pitch, similar to the template set after the England series, completely exposed the West Indies’ inability to handle spin. Their batters weren’t equipped for the conditions or our strong spin attack.”
He commended the crucial 141-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel in the first innings, calling it a game-changer.
“Rizwan and Shakeel handled the pressure brilliantly on a challenging pitch. They turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor when it mattered. Even though Pakistan’s batting faltered in the second innings, they had already built such a significant lead that 250 was out of reach for the West Indies.”
Ramiz was particularly impressed with Pakistan’s trio of spinners—Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan.
“The spinners were the stars of the show,” he remarked. “Abrar’s accuracy, Noman’s deceptive straight deliveries, and Sajid’s versatility with his wide angles created a perfect spin attack. Each bowler brought something unique to the table, adjusting seamlessly to the wear of the ball.”
He added, “Abrar’s relentless accuracy, Noman’s world-class variations on a spinning track, and Sajid’s angles made them a constant threat. Together, they formed a formidable spin attack.”
Ramiz concluded by urging the West Indies to learn from the experience.
“This Test should be a wake-up call for the West Indies. They need to come up with better strategies and improve their batting against spin. For Pakistan, this is an excellent opportunity to win the series 2-0 and set a positive tone for the home season. Victories like this boost confidence for both the players and the system,” he said.
