Shocking PCB move as Shan Masood gets senior administration role as Consultant for International Cricket and Player Affairs.
PCB springs shocking move appointing Test captain Shan Masood in senior administrative role.
Shan Masood, the current Test captain, was named by the PCB as its Consultant for International Cricket and Player Affairs in an unprecedented step. He may soon be promoted to Director International Cricket, a prominent administrative position held by most cricket boards. The PCB refused to confirm whether Masood would continue to serve as Test captain or as an international cricket player, or if he would be abandoning both roles.
Applications for the post of Director International Cricket are being accepted by the PCB till November 2.
Usman Wahla was hired in May 2023 and served as the previous Director of International Cricket. Although he was suspended from the position in September of this year, the PCB has not formally confirmed his work status since. According to reports, the Prime Minister arranged a dinner reception in honour of the visiting South African team, where Masood and the players were informed of his new duty.
Uncertainty surrounds the PCB’s official announcement, which makes no mention of Masood’s precise duties, the duration of his employment, or how it will impact his standing as captain and player. The decision was made just one day after Masood captained Pakistan and South Africa finished their Test series, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Even by this PCB administration’s norms, Masood’s nomination as a consultant is unusual and virtually unique. His playing future is unavoidably called into doubt given the demands of what such an administrative post would typically involve. An active cricket player watching over the affairs of players who play alongside or under him could also lead to a variety of conflicts of interest.
Prior to a three-match trip of England in August 2026, Pakistan’s next Test assignments are two-match series against Bangladesh and the West Indies the following year.