"We would like to obviously play the final this time" - Pakistan skipper Shan Masood expresses WTC desire ahead of Bangladesh Tests
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood expressed his side's desire to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final likely to be played at Lord's next year. Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in a two-Test series at home to kickstart a packed Test calendar until January 2025.
Following the Bangladesh series, Pakistan will play three home Tests against England, two away Tests against South Africa, and a two-match home Test series against the West Indies.
Shan Masood's side are currently languishing at sixth place in the nine-team race with only two wins in five Test outings. India and Australia - the two teams that contested in the 2023 WTC final, hold the top two spots on the 2023-25 standings.
Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the first Test against Bangladesh, Masood said:
"We have to look at our position in the World Test Championship. Yes, it was sixth and seventh before. Yes, we would like to obviously play the final this time. So if you want to play in the finals, we have to win our home Test matches. If we have to win that, we have to take 20 wickets consistently. And obviously, our batters should score enough and give the bowlers time to take those 20 wickets."
He added:
"You want your fans and media to write good things about the team. That's why one of our focuses is to play cricket everyone enjoys watching. It's a result-oriented business at the end of the day. You have to have results on your mind."
Masood was appointed Pakistan's Test captain at the end of last year but his first series in charge down under against Australia ended in an 0-3 whitewash.
"We all want Test cricket to be fun, Test cricket to be enjoyable" - Shan Masood
Shan Masood wants his side to play an exciting brand in Test cricket and produce consistent performances. Pakistan finished fifth and seventh in the first WTC editions in 2021 and 2023, due to inconsistent results at home and away.
"I feel it's about playing good and exciting cricket. Look, we all want Test cricket to be fun, Test cricket to be enjoyable, both for the fans and for us players. When we play Test cricket, we want to be excited about it and bring the same enthusiasm we do in any format. Our challenge is to get the right results, and also play a brand of cricket that is consistent and exciting to everyone," said Shan Masood.
Pakistan will play both Bangladesh Tests in Rawalpindi with the opener starting Wednesday, August 21.