Former Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood is back in training ahead of the three-match Test series against England starting next week. The 36-year-old was injured while batting in the opening Test against West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium.
Masood was struck on the finger during his knock of 109 in the first innings. He batted lower down the order in the second innings, scoring three runs.
ICC’s official website put out a report confirming the batter’s return to training. “The National team took part in a training session at Kent County Cricket Club based in Beckenham. Players took part in batting and bowling sessions. Shan Masood was also part of the session and took part in the batting practice under the supervision of the medical team.”
The southpaw was recently replaced as the captain of the Test team by Babar Azam ahead of the West Indian tour. The series ended 1-1 after the visitors won the second game of the series by eight wickets. Babar’s side has moved to eighth in the WTC points table and has overtaken the West Indies after a win in the second Test match.
What is Shan Masood’s record vs England?
The left-handed batter has so far played 11 Test matches against the English side and scored 587 runs. Shan has an average of 29 and scored two centuries and a fifty. His best score of 156 came at Old Trafford off 319 balls, before being dismissed by Stuart Broad.
The veteran batter’s second ton came at home in Multan, where he amassed 151 during the 2024 series. The knock came off 177 balls with 13 boundaries and two sixes. Jack Leach ended the innings.
England won the game by an innings and 47 runs after posting a massive 823 on the board thanks to Harry Brook’s 317 and Joe Root’s 262. The home team came back to win the series with a 2-1 margin thanks to Sajid Khan and Noman Ali’s heroics with the ball.
Shan Masood has played five Tests in England and scored 250 runs at an average of 27, with just a single ton. His return to the side will bolster Pakistan, who suffered a batting collapse in the series opener against the West Indies.