Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has accepted responsibility after his side suffered a 104-run defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test at Mirpur. Speaking after the match, he said he would not blame any individual player and would instead take ownership of the team’s performance as captain.
In the post-match press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Shan Masood praised Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana for his disciplined bowling and smart execution of the game plan. He admitted that Pakistan expected their set batters to stay longer at the crease, but failed to build the partnerships needed to chase the target.
The Pakistan captain highlighted positive performances from young players Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, saying both showed strong potential for the future. He also revealed that Abdullah Fazal suffered a minor injury during training but still showed strong determination by continuing to bat in the match.
Shan Masood said Bangladesh batters Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque built a crucial partnership that shifted the game away from Pakistan. He added that while the pitch offered help to spinners and fast bowlers at different stages, Pakistan failed to take advantage during key moments.
He further stated that Pakistan had control of the game until the tea break on the final day, but momentum shifted quickly afterwards. Shan Masood admitted disappointment over the loss but stressed that the team must learn from mistakes and improve ahead of the second Test, focusing on consistency and better execution under pressure.