NEW DELHI: Shan Masood has announced that he will step down as Pakistan’s Test captain, following the team’s defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi. He is set to join the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a consultant for international cricket.The announcement was made by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a reception for the Pakistan and South African teams at Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s residence, according to a report on Friday.
“We have appointed Masood as director of international cricket in PCB,” Naqvi said, surprising many as the decision came a week before the deadline for applications for the post.Since Masood plays only Tests, which are scheduled sporadically, he will combine his playing duties with the consultant role. If implemented, this would be the first time at the international level that a player simultaneously holds a position on the board. However, his appointment raises questions over compliance with the PCB Constitution, which prohibits active players from holding board positions; such roles are officially reserved for retired cricketers.Masood succeeds Usman Wahla, the previous director of international cricket, who was suspended during the Asia Cup after delaying an email concerning a protest against match referee Andy Pycroft. Wahla had advised Pakistan captain Salman Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB subsequently wrote to the International Cricket Council requesting Pycroft’s removal, which the ICC rejected, instead arranging a meeting between Pakistan team officials and Pycroft, who expressed regret. Wahla, who maintains strong political ties with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), was later reinstated.The PCB had advertised the director role with eligibility criteria requiring candidates to have played both Tests and ODIs for Pakistan. Masood, who has represented the country in 44 Tests, 9 ODIs, and 19 T20Is, meets these qualifications. Local media had suggested former captain Misbah-ul-Haq as a frontrunner for the post, though he declined to apply.
