(Source X)
Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood is optimistic about his team’s prospects in the remaining fixtures of the World Test Championship (WTC). Currently, Pakistan is ranked fifth in the WTC standings with a point percentage of 36.66%. They trail behind India, Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
Despite this, Pakistan has nine matches left in the current WTC cycle, with seven of those being held at home. This presents a strong opportunity for them to enhance their position and potentially secure a spot in the final. The forthcoming series against Bangladesh will be particularly vital for the Men in Green as they look to capitalize on their home advantage and make a significant push towards the top of the table.
Shan Masood unveils Pakistan’s strategy for the upcoming WTC matches.
At a press conference before Pakistan’s home Test series against Bangladesh, Shan Masood expressed confidence that Pakistan will capitalize on the home conditions to secure a top-two finish in the World Test Championship (WTC). He also showed optimism about Pakistan clinching a series victory in South Africa later this year.
“There’s a lot to play for in the World Test Championship. The top two places are yet to be decided, and it can still go with any side. Our effort would be to make the best use of the home advantage in our seven Tests. And obviously, even in South Africa, we can gain points and win a series, which is a great opportunity for us,” Masood said to the reporters.
In addition to the seven home matches, Pakistan will face a tough test with two away Tests against South Africa later this year. This will present a significant challenge for the young team, as they contend with South Africa’s formidable bowling attack in conditions that favor pace and bounce.
Shan Masood discusses Pakistan’s new coaching staff.
Shan Masood also spoke about Pakistan’s new coaching team, expressing confidence that Jason Gillespie, Gary Kirsten, and Tim Nielsen will make a positive impact on Pakistan cricket. He believes the players can learn a great deal from their experience and approach.
“The recent appointments of Jason Gillespie and Tim Nielson are an exciting opportunity for Pakistan cricket. Two experienced coaches have come in both white-ball and red-ball cricket for us, they were big players in their respective fields,” Shan Masood said.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us, as players, to get exposure to Gillespie, Nielsen, and Gary Kirsten [white-ball head coach],” Shan Masood added.
Jason Gillespie has been named Pakistan’s Test coach, Gary Kirsten will oversee the white-ball format, and Tim Nielsen has been appointed as the red-ball high-performance coach. The series against Bangladesh will mark the debut assignment for both Gillespie and Nielsen.
Pakistan’s fixtures against Bangladesh.
If Pakistan secures victories in all nine of their remaining WTC matches, their percentage points will rise to 77.38%, bringing them very close to a spot in the WTC final scheduled for June next year.
The series against Bangladesh will feature two Tests: the first from August 21-25 in Rawalpindi and the second from August 30-September 3 in Karachi.
