Cricket

July 2026: PCB Removes Shan Masood, Hands Back Test Captaincy to Babar Azam for West Indies & England Tours 4 years later, he’s back. Babar Azam is once again Pakistan’s Test captain. The PCB has removed Shan Masood and handed the Test captaincy back to Babar for the remaining matches of the WTC 2025-27 cycle. The announcement came in July 2026, right after Pakistan suffered a 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh and dropped to 5th in the WTC table. 1.OFFICIAL ANNOUNCMENT AND REOSON Date:    July 2026   Decision:    Shan Masood removed as Test captain after 16 Tests, 12 losses   New Captain:    Babar Azam   Vice-Captain:    Saud Shakeel   PCB Statement: “With a busy domestic and international schedule, we need experience and stability. Babar’s leadership and batting form make him the right choice.” Series Covered:   West Indies July 2026, England Aug-Sep 2026 2. SHAN MASOOD ERA: WHAT WENT WRONG? Ca...

July 2026: Mohsin Naqvi + Prince Saud Sign Agreement for ‘Pakistan-Saudi Friendship Stadium’ Under Vision 2030 Pakistan Cricket Board and Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation have signed a major MoU to build an international cricket stadium in Jeddah. The deal could see PSL matches hosted in Saudi Arabia from 2027 onwards. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi signed the agreement with Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, SACF Chairman, in Riyadh.    1. What’s in the PCB-Saudi Contract? Signed:    July 2026 in Riyadh Parties:   PCB + Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation SACF Main Point:    Build an international-standard cricket stadium in Jeddah    Key Features of Stadium: 1. Playing surfaces to international standards 2. Broadcast & media facilities 3. Hospitality areas, training facilities, spectator services 4. Floodlights + seating for top-level matches 6 Vision:   Help Saudi Arabia host international matches + major events under Vision 2030...