Pakistan Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has expressed confidence that Shan Masood will remain a vital contributor despite being stripped of the captaincy, as the national side prepares for a grueling tour of the West Indies and England. Speaking after a pre-departure camp in Rawalpindi, Sarfaraz described the left-hander's morale as high and his commitment unwavering. Main Developments Shan Masood's nearly three-year stint as Test captain ended following Pakistan's disappointing home series defeat to Bangladesh in May 2026. The Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently reinstated Babar Azam as skipper for the upcoming two-Test series in the Caribbean and the subsequent tour of England. Sarfaraz confirmed he spoke directly with Shan about the leadership change. "His confidence is high," Sarfaraz told reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. "He prepared well, although he had a slight hamstring niggle and had to rest for about a week. But his attitude throughout the camp was excellent." Read also: 4 reasons Pakistan's new football anthem 'Sway' marks a turning point The head coach emphasized that Shan, as a senior player and sensible cricketer, understands how to navigate such situations. "He will continue to contribute as a player just as he did as captain," Sarfaraz added. Background Sarfaraz himself took over as Test head coach earlier in 2026, with the Bangladesh series being his first assignment. That series marked another low point in Pakistan's recent Test record, which now includes 12 losses in their last 16 matches. The decision to replace Shan with Babar Azam was made by the PCB after the home defeat to Bangladesh. Babar had previously captained Pakistan across formats, including leading the Test side from 2020 to 2023 before stepping down. Sarfaraz congratulated Babar on reclaiming the role, stating, "Babar has led Pakistan before and brings valuable experience. We all expect things to improve under his leadership." Why It Matters Pakistan's Test team is in a period of transition, with the captaincy change adding another layer of complexity ahead of two demanding away series. The West Indies tour will test the squad's ability to adapt to Caribbean humidity and varied pitch conditions, while the England tour introduces the challenge of the Duke ball, which historically troubles visiting batsmen. Sarfaraz's confidence in Shan Masood signals that the team management values experience and stability within the squad, even amid leadership changes. The head coach also highlighted the continued inclusion of domestic performers—naming Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Awais Zafar, and Ali Usman—as evidence of a healthy pipeline for emerging talent. What's Next Pakistan depart for the Caribbean after completing more than a month of preparations, including an extended camp in Lahore followed by a three-day camp in Rawalpindi. The squad will have a four-day practice match in Port of Spain before the Test series begins, providing time to acclimatize to local conditions. The coaching staff tailored practice sessions on both grassy and spin-friendly surfaces to mirror what the team expects in the Caribbean. Sarfaraz acknowledged the challenges ahead but set an ambitious target: "Our aim is to win the series. We have built good momentum through our preparation and have a balanced mix of youth and experience."