Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies after sustaining a finger injury, dealing a significant setback to the visitors as they prepare for the decisive match of the series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Masood injured a finger during the opening Test and will not recover in time to feature in the second encounter. Following medical assessments, the team management decided to withdraw the left-handed batter from the squad to avoid aggravating the injury.
Masood’s absence leaves Pakistan without its regular Test captain and one of the team’s most experienced top-order batters. The PCB is expected to announce the captain for the second Test, with senior players likely to assume leadership responsibilities for the remainder of the match.
The injury comes at a crucial stage of Pakistan’s tour, where the visitors are aiming to finish the series on a positive note. Masood has been a key figure in Pakistan’s Test setup, both as captain and as a dependable opening batter, making his absence a notable blow to the team’s plans.
Team management has not yet provided a timeline for his return but indicated that the priority is ensuring a full recovery before he resumes competitive cricket. Medical staff will continue to monitor his rehabilitation in the coming days.
Pakistan will now need to reshuffle both its batting order and leadership group ahead of the second Test. The selectors may introduce a replacement batter while adjusting the top order to compensate for Masood’s absence.
The second Test is expected to offer an opportunity for other squad members to step up as Pakistan looks to overcome the loss of its captain and maintain its competitiveness against the West Indies. Fans will also be watching closely for updates on Masood’s recovery and his availability for Pakistan’s upcoming international assignments.
