Who Will Lead Pakistan? Basit Ali Fuels 2025 Captaincy Debate

Basit Sparks Captaincy Debate

Sharing his thoughts on a social media platform (Twitter), Basit Ali expressed his gratitude to Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha. Subsequently, he could soon take over as the captain across all formats. His message caught many off guard, particularly since the recent reports had named Saud Shakeel as the top contender to replace Shan Masood as Test captain.

Saud Shakeel, the current Test team deputy, has found himself in the spotlight amid the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s possible leadership overhaul. However, Basit’s clear-cut response has stirred the pot further, adding a new layer of discussion over who will eventually be trusted with the captaincy.

Saud Still a Top Candidate for Captaincy

No official announcement has been made by the PCB so far, but it is being said by sources that a final decision is expected soon. Although Saud is still being seen as a strong option, discussions within the board are also said to be focusing on more significant changes, including possible adjustments to the Test coaching team.

So far, criticism has been faced by Shan Masood, who took charge of the captaincy in November 2023. Pakistan has played a total of 12 Tests under his captaincy, winning just three while losing nine. 

 ICC Test Championship: Pakistan’s Current Form
 

Recently, in the ICC World Test Championship (2023-25), the team’s performance has also been hurting. Pakistan’s position in the points table was ninth, following whitewashes against Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa. Series wins against Sri Lanka and England, along with a drawn match against the West Indies, have been the only highlights for them.

South Africa’s 2025 Pakistan Tour: Key Dates and Series Overview

Pakistan’s next red-ball scheduled for October 2025, when South Africa will tour the country for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, a series that could mark the beginning of a new era in leadership.