KARACHI: In Karachi, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood, aged 36, set a new national record by scoring the fastest double century in Pakistan’s first-class cricket history on the opening day of the President’s Trophy.
Playing for SNGPL against Sahir Associates, Shan Masood reached his double century off just 177 balls, surpassing the previous record held by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who had scored a double century in 188 balls against Oxford and Cambridge Universities during a 1992 tour match.
This double century by Shan Masood also stands as the fastest first-class double century on Pakistani soil, eclipsing the mark set by India’s Virender Sehwag, who reached the milestone in 182 balls during the 2006 Lahore Test.
At the close of the first day’s play, Shan Masood remained unbeaten on 212 runs off 185 balls.
Shan Masood, the 36-year-old left-handed opening batsman and current captain of Pakistan’s Test team since November 2023, has built a solid career primarily in red-ball cricket after emerging through junior and domestic ranks.
Born in Kuwait, he impressed early, representing Pakistan at under-19 level and making his first-class debut in 2007.
His consistent domestic performances, including strong county stints with Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Hampshire, and now Leicestershire on an all-format deal for 2025, earned him a Test debut against South Africa in 2013.
In Tests, Masood has played around 44 matches, scoring over 2,550 runs at an average near 31, with six centuries and 13 half-centuries, his highest being 156.
He has shown resilience as an opener, contributing key hundreds against strong sides like England and Sri Lanka, though consistency has varied, and Pakistan has secured limited wins under his captaincy.
His leadership continues into the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle despite challenges.
Limited-overs international exposure remains sparse: nine ODIs yielding 163 runs at an average of 18, with one fifty, last played in 2023; and 19 T20Is producing nearly 400 runs at around 30, including three half-centuries, with his final appearance in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.
Domestically, Masood excels prolifically in first-class cricket, amassing over 12,000 runs across 187 matches at nearly 40, including 30 centuries, and recently smashed Pakistan’s fastest first-class double century, 212 not out off 185 balls, reaching 200 in 177 balls in the 2025-26 President’s Trophy, breaking Inzamam-ul-Haq’s long-standing record.
A technically sound batsman modeled after Alastair Cook, he remains a key figure in Pakistan’s longer-format setup while seeking greater white-ball opportunities.
