Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood handed an administrative position in the PCB in a bizarre move
The Pakistan Test captain has been handed an unprecedented promotion that will see him transcend his scope of work altogether. Shan Masood, a currently active player and the leader of the side in the sport’s original format, is set to become the PCB’s Consultant for International Cricket. The bizarre move has left many confused. The role, a high-ranking one in PCB’s structure, would typically be off-limits to an active international cricketer, let alone a sitting national captain. Even by the PCB’s often unconventional standards, the move has raised eyebrows for its sheer novelty and potential complications.
Shan Masood set to handle Test captaincy and an administrative role in PCB simultaneously
The PCB, on Friday, announced the appointment of Shan Masood in the administrative role. The announcement, meanwhile, offered scant information about Masood’s duties, tenure, or how this administrative title would coexist with his leadership of Pakistan’s Test team. Notably, the PCB made no mention of how it plans to navigate the apparent conflict of interest inherent in assigning an active captain oversight responsibilities within the same international setup he represents on the field.
The timing of the development adds another layer of intrigue. It followed just a day after Pakistan wrapped up their Test series against South Africa in Karachi, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Masood, who led the side and finished as one of the top run-scorers, is said to have learned of his new designation during a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister for the visiting South African contingent.
According to reports, this appointment could serve as a temporary bridge to a more senior position, that of Director of International Cricket, for which the PCB is currently seeking candidates. The application window for the role closes on November 2. The position was last held by Usman Wahla, who was suspended in September under circumstances the board has yet to publicly clarify.
Ordinarily, a position of such administrative weight would demand full-time engagement and oversight across all international operations. Yet, the PCB has provided no clarity on how Shan Masood will reconcile his on-field commitments with the managerial responsibilities now attached to his name. The dual role has already ignited widespread discussion and skepticism within cricketing circles, many questioning not only the practicality but also the propriety of such an arrangement.
Masood’s stint as the Pakistan Test captain, spanning just over two years, has been anything but smooth. His record stands at four wins and ten defeats, including series losses to Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh, the latter being Pakistan’s first-ever series defeat to the neigbours. His sole triumph came against England last year. Despite ongoing criticism of his leadership, Masood has shown marked improvement with the bat, though doubts over his long-term position have persisted throughout his tenure.
For now, the PCB’s silence on both the specific scope of Masood’s new responsibilities and the potential ethical lapse surrounding his dual role has left the cricketing community searching for answers. Whether this signals a gradual transition from player to administrator or simply another unorthodox experiment by an unpredictable board, the development once again highlights the opacity that have long characterized Pakistan’s cricket administration.
Pakistan’s next Test assignments are scheduled for 2026, with a two-match home series against Bangladesh and the West Indies, followed by a three-Test tour of England later that year. Whether Masood will approach those fixtures as captain, as an administrator, or attempt to juggle both remains one of the many unresolved questions hovering over this unprecedented appointment.
