The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Test captain Shan Masood as Consultant International Cricket and Players Affairs, a newly created position that combines the responsibilities previously listed under the Director International Cricket Operations role. The decision reflects the board’s growing emphasis on improving international coordination, managing player relations, and streamlining operations with global cricket authorities.
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Shan Masood, aged 36, brings both leadership and international experience to the new position. The left-handed batter has represented Pakistan in 44 Test matches, nine One Day Internationals, and 19 Twenty20 Internationals, scoring a total of 3108 international runs with six Test centuries to his name. His calm demeanor and strong communication skills have often been praised by both teammates and management.
As captain, Shan has led Pakistan in 14 Test matches, guiding the team to several memorable performances, including a historic 2-1 home series win against England, which was Pakistan’s first home series victory against them since 2005. Despite a few difficult results, including a home series loss to Bangladesh, the board retained faith in Shan’s leadership and cricketing vision.
The PCB’s press release announcing his appointment did not specify whether Shan would continue as Test captain while holding this new position. However, a PCB spokesperson later clarified that there would be no restriction on him continuing his captaincy duties alongside his consultancy responsibilities. This approach aligns with the board’s recent practice of assigning dual roles to key figures within Pakistan cricket.
Under the current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the board has increasingly relied on experienced individuals to handle multiple responsibilities. Aaqib Javed serves as both a selector and Director High Performance, Wahab Riaz combines his duties as selector and senior team manager, and Aleem Dar contributes as both a selector and field umpire. Shan’s inclusion in this group reinforces the board’s belief that experienced professionals can contribute effectively to multiple aspects of the game.
The role of Consultant International Cricket and Players Affairs includes overseeing the planning and organization of Pakistan’s international tours, coordinating with other cricket boards, managing scheduling and logistics, and ensuring compliance with ICC and PCB regulations. Shan’s background as an active international player gives him an advantage in understanding the needs and challenges of modern players, particularly in balancing workload, performance, and international commitments.
This appointment also reflects a strategic shift by the PCB toward involving active players in operational decision-making. By including voices like Shan Masood in key administrative positions, the board aims to strengthen communication channels between the dressing room and management, ensuring that player perspectives are directly represented in planning and policy discussions.
Shan Masood’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Pakistan cricket, as the board seeks greater stability and consistency across formats. His blend of on-field leadership, professionalism, and academic approach to the game makes him an ideal choice to support the board’s long-term goals. The PCB’s move demonstrates its commitment to evolving cricket administration in Pakistan, focusing on collaboration, transparency, and performance improvement through experienced leadership.
Shan Masood’s dual responsibility now places him at the center of Pakistan’s cricket operations, combining tactical leadership on the field with administrative insight off it. His success in this role could set a precedent for future player involvement in management and shape the future structure of cricket governance in Pakistan.
