In a strange turn of events, Pakistan Test cricket captain, Shan Masood, has made his way to cricket administration as the Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday has appointed him the Consultant of the International Cricket and Players’ Affairs.
PCB released the statement, confirming the development, “The PCB has appointed left-handed batter Shan Masood as Consultant International Cricket and Players’ Affairs.”
“The 36-year-old has featured in 44 Tests, nine ODIs and 19 T20Is, scoring 3,108 international runs, including six Test centuries. Shan has also captained Pakistan in 14 Tests, including the recently concluded two-match ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa. Under his leadership, Pakistan defeated England 2-1 last year, their first Test series win against England on home soil since 2005,” the statement read.
According to the Pakistani media outlet Geo Super TV, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi first announced the appointment during a luncheon for the Pakistan and South Africa men’s teams, which was attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The cricket board later issued a brief official announcement, which did not, however, detail Masood’s specific responsibilities in the new role.
As reported by Geo Super TV, Masood’s appointment follows the PCB’s suspension of its Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, just one month prior. Wahla was suspended over delays in handling a crucial communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Reports indicate that Wahla was removed after failing to promptly forward an official letter concerning the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 ‘handshake controversy.’ And the delay in response caused significant frustration within the PCB leadership, ultimately leading to his suspension. This decision came in the wake of the PCB’s formal complaint to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the upcoming Asia Cup.
