Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood said that his primary focus is to build an atmosphere in the dressing room where players feel secure. Earlier, fast bowler Naseem Shah admitted that Pakistan have been going through a rough patch and also put forth the importance of the players coming together as a cohesive unit.

Masood is set to lead Pakistan in their two-match Test series against Bangladesh that starts on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Masood, who took over from Babar Azam as the Test captain last year, said that performances on the field are a reflection of the healthy environment inside the change room.

‘We are making an effort’

“Our main focus and what I personally believe in as a leadership philosophy—which Jason also believes in, along with all the other players—is that everything starts from the dressing room. The reason is that we spend more time off the field than on it. So, whatever we set internally will be reflected externally,” Masood said in the press conference before the opening Test.

“We’re making an effort to keep the environment good and inclusive. Our goal is to provide continuity to the players and create a dressing room atmosphere where players enjoy cricket and bring happiness to the fans,” Masood added.

Naseem is expected to play a key role in the upcoming series where the sixth-placed Pakistan will be looking to climb the ladder in the WTC 2023-25 points table. Pakistan began with a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka, but then slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Australia.

Naseem has pleasant memories of playing in Rawalpindi. Back in 2020, he had became the youngest to take a hat-trick in Test cricket against Bangladesh. In 17 Tests, Naseem has taken 51 wickets with two four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul.