Shan Masood, Pakistan’s Test captain, is currently under scrutiny after a rocky start to his leadership role this year. As Pakistan gears up for their home Test series against England, the team is looking to recover from a disappointing whitewash in their previous series against Bangladesh. This pressure became evident during a tense moment in a recent press conference with Masood.
In a video circulating from the event, journalist Javed Iqbal posed a challenging question to Masood: “You have mentioned that you will continue with the captaincy as long as the opportunity is there. But doesn’t your conscience tell you, after a series of losses and poor performances, that it’s time to step down?”
The question touched on sentiments shared by some fans, but Masood was visibly hesitant to respond. PCB’s Director of Media and Communications, Sami ul Hasan, quickly intervened to de-escalate the situation. Addressing the journalist, Hasan said, “Thank you for your questions and support. One last request: the captain of Pakistan is sitting here. Absolutely ask your questions, but please show some respect.”
The press conference highlighted the mounting pressure on the Pakistan Test team and its captain as they strive to regain form ahead of the crucial series.
