Shan Masood takes responsibility after Pakistan’s defeat in first Test

DHAKA: Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has said he will take full responsibility for the team’s defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test match, stressing that he will not blame individual players for the loss.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, Masood said the team expected set batsmen to build long partnerships, which could have helped Pakistan secure a draw, but that opportunity was missed.

He praised Bangladesh’s bowling performance, particularly noting disciplined team planning and execution throughout the match.

Masood highlighted the efforts of young batters Azaan Owais and Abdullah Fazal, calling their performance a positive sign for the future of Pakistan cricket.

He said Abdullah showed great courage despite being unwell during training, adding that both young players would improve with more experience in Test cricket.

The captain stated that both batting and bowling units contributed at different stages, and Bangladesh’s key partnership proved decisive in shifting the momentum of the match.

Masood described the pitch in Dhaka as “one of the best Test surfaces,” saying it offered assistance to spinners while still allowing competitive cricket.

He added that Pakistan were in control until the tea break, but lost grip on the match afterward.

Looking ahead, Masood said the team would learn from its mistakes and aim to perform better in the second Test.

“I will not blame anyone for the defeat. I will take responsibility myself,” he said, adding that modern cricket requires adaptability but breaks in Test cricket can make consistency difficult.