In a dramatic change of strategy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed its current Test skipper, Shan Masood, as Consultant for International Cricket and Player Affairs. The job is likely to be changed to that of Director International Cricket, a high-level leadership position typical at top cricket boards.
Double Hats: Player and Administrator?
The PCB has not made it clear if Shan Masood will retain his status as an active international cricketer and Test captain while working in this new consultancy function or if he will have to step down from one of them. This vagueness puts his on-field and boardroom future in doubt.
Next Step: Director of International Cricket in the Pipeline
Applications for the full-time Director International Cricket position close on November 2, as stated by the PCB. Cricket news sources suggest Shan Masood will most probably be made caretaker in charge, with the possibility of taking up the position in a permanent capacity once the official selection process is through.
Background: Former Office Holder Suspended
The PCB’s earlier Director International Cricket, Usman Wahla, was appointed in May 2023 and suspended in September this year. The PCB has not made a formal announcement about his position. The timing of Shan Masood’s new appointment comes very close to this recent development.
Announcement and Timing
Shan Masood’s appointment was revealed at the Prime Minister’s Office of Pakistan dinner reception to honour the visiting South African cricket team. Players and officials were told of his new position at this reception. The announcement comes a day after Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa finished in which Shan Masood led his team to a 1-1 draw and was Pakistan’s joint-series highest scorer.
What’s Still Unknown
The PCB’s official announcement is deliberately cryptic it never defined Shan Masood’s precise roles, how long his consultancy was to last, or how this transition would impact his status as player and captain. The action represents one of the more unusual transitions from player to administration in Pakistani cricket.
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