Karachi, 6 November, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan’s former Test captain Shan Masood has reportedly fallen out of favour with the national team’s selectors and coaching staff, despite being the country’s leading run-scorer over the past two years. Shan has been left out of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, with reports suggesting that he is no longer part of the team’s future plans. Although concerns over his fitness have also been raised, the decision is understood to reflect a broader shift towards younger players under newly appointed Test coach Mike Hesson. Shan scored 95 runs in his last Test innings against England and has accumulated 773 runs since January 2025, making him Pakistan’s highest run-scorer during this period. He scored 397 runs in five matches last year at an average of around 40, followed by 376 runs in six matches this year. Babar Azam ranks second with 720 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan stands third with 643 runs over the same period. Shan’s reported exclusion has also raised questions about the selection policy, particularly as 36-year-old Mohammad Abbas has been included in the squad while the 37-year-old batter appears to have been dropped from future considerations. Both players have delivered notable performances for Pakistan. Last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly offered Shan a consultancy role in International Cricket and Players’ Affairs, but he chose to remain focused on his playing career rather than take up administrative responsibilities. He was subsequently removed from the Test captaincy following the team’s disappointing performances. According to sources, tensions between Shan and certain PCB officials may also have contributed to his declining standing within the team management. During a meeting with board officials, he reportedly made critical remarks about some officials, which allegedly created friction and affected his relationship with the authorities. Shan is currently not participating in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, leaving uncertainty surrounding his future in domestic and international cricket.