Babar Azam returned as Pakistan’s Test captain after he was sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board Shan Masood from the paper on Sunday after a poor run of results.Masood replaced Babar in late 2023 but Pakistan won just four of their 16 Test matches under his leadership, losing 12.Explaining the decision, chief selector Aaqib Javed said the selectors wanted a captain who could produce better results.“We wanted to look for a captain who can lead the team in a much better way,” said Javed to reporters in Lahore, as quoted by news agency AP. “Shan’s individual performance was good but as captain we didn’t get the desired result.”Javed said that there is complete agreement within the selection committee regarding Babar’s appointment.“The selection committee sat and made detailed discussions. They assessed which player would prove to be the best captain in Test cricket. There were many discussions, but the selection committee made only one recommendation, and that was Babar Azam. That’s it,” said Aaqib.Pakistan’s Test form took a steep decline during Masood’s tenure. His first stint ended in a 3-0 series loss to Australia. Pakistan then suffered a 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh for the first time. The team’s only series win under Masood came against England at home, where Pakistan won 2-1. They also lost series against South Africa and the West Indies and finished bottom of the previous World Test Championship table.Javed said that the captain should also share responsibility for the team’s performance.“The captain has the responsibility of finishing the games,” said Javed. “Some things are the responsibility of the team, some are the responsibility of the selectors, and some are the responsibility of the captain. The captain’s responsibility also includes maintaining the over-rate of the team, taking DRS decisions and making the right throw call.Despite the team’s struggles, Masood has consistently scored with the bat. During his captaincy, he hit two centuries and seven half-centuries, including back-to-back fifties in Melbourne against Australia.Babar’s first spell as Test captain produced 10 wins in 20 matches. His tenure began with a 2-0 home series win over South Africa, while Pakistan also completed clean sweeps away from home against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.As a captain, Babar averaged more than 50 runs per innings in Test cricket. His only home series loss was against England, who beat Pakistan 3-0.Babar’s second stint as captain will begin with the two-Test series against the West Indies later this month.Masood retained his place in Pakistan’s 16-member squad for the series. Saud Shakeel will join the squad as the 17th player for the three-Test series in England after the West Indies tour, subject to fitness.The squad also includes four uncapped players. left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori.