Shan Masood Takes Responsibility for Pakistan’s Defeat in Dhaka Test

MIRPUR (News Report) — Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has taken responsibility for the team’s defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test, saying he would not blame any individual player for the loss.
Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka after the match, Shan Masood said the defeat was disappointing, adding that Pakistan had hoped its set batters would carry the game deeper and help secure a draw.
Captain praises Bangladesh bowlers
The Pakistan skipper credited Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana for executing effective team planning and delivering quality bowling performances.
“If our set batters had stayed longer at the crease, we could have drawn the match,” Shan Masood said.
Young batters earn praise
The captain highlighted the performances of young batters Azan Owais and Abdullah Fazal, describing their efforts as one of the positives from the match.
He revealed that Abdullah Fazal had suffered a blow to the head during training earlier in the day but still showed courage and determination while batting.
According to Shan Masood, both young players will mature further with more exposure to Test cricket.
No blame on bowlers or batters
The Pakistan captain emphasized that he would not criticize either the bowlers or the batters.
“As captain, I will not say that the bowlers or batters failed,” he stated, adding that Pakistan’s bowlers had performed well during certain sessions of the game.
He also praised Bangladesh batters Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque for their strong partnership, which he believed shifted the momentum away from Pakistan.
“Best Test pitch,” says captain
Shan Masood described the Dhaka surface as an excellent Test pitch, noting that the spinners also benefited from assistance provided to the fast bowlers.
He said Pakistan had decided to play according to the conditions after setting the target and believed the match remained under control until tea on the crucial day.
Focus on improvement
Looking ahead to the second Test, Shan Masood said the team would learn from its mistakes and aim for a stronger performance.
“I will not hold anyone responsible for the defeat. I will take responsibility myself,” he said.
The captain added that modern-day cricketers must adapt to different conditions and formats, while long breaks in Test cricket can make consistency more difficult for players.