Shan Masood's Test century earns former captain's backing for Pakistan ODI return

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has once again backed Shan Masood for a return to Pakistan's One-Day International (ODI) batting line-up following the left-hander's century against the West Indies in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Taking to social media, Hafeez reiterated a stance he has expressed previously, insisting that Masood remains one of Pakistan's strongest available options in the 50-over format.

"I mentioned earlier and permit me to repeat that Shan Masood is one of the available solutions for Pakistan's ODI batting line-up. List A record: 17 hundreds and 39 fifties, career average 53," Hafeez wrote on 'X'.

Rather than basing his argument solely on Masood's latest Test century, Hafeez highlighted the batter's outstanding List A record, pointing to his consistency in domestic one-day cricket as evidence that he deserves another opportunity in the national ODI side.

The 36-year-old has played nine ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 163 runs, including one half-century. His most recent appearance in the format came against New Zealand in 2023.

The former Test captain also boasts an impressive List A record, having scored 6,413 runs in 142 matches at an average of 53.00, including 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries.

Meanwhile, Masood's superb 109 helped Pakistan post 282 in their first innings after they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for just 38 runs after resuming from 244-4.

The visitors conceded a 29-run first-innings deficit as West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul.

Imam-ul-Haq contributed 63 from 102 deliveries, while returning captain Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha added 23 and 20 respectively.

Pakistan's pacers, however, responded strongly in the West Indies' second innings with an impressive bowling display.

The hosts were reduced to 126-7 after 43 overs in the second innings, leading by 155 runs.

Mohammad Abbas led the attack with three wickets, Khurram Shahzad claimed two, while Mohammad Ali and Aamer Jamal chipped in with one wicket apiece.