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Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood found himself in the middle of a heated exchange with a journalist during the post-match press conference after Pakistan suffered a humiliating 120-run defeat against the West Indies in the second and final Test in Multan. Despite the disheartening result, Masood did not hold back as he fiercely defended his team and lashed out at what he deemed disrespectful questioning.
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Pakistan Hits Historic Low in WTC Standings
The loss meant that Pakistan finished at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table for the first time ever. They ended the cycle with a points percentage of 27.98, managing to win just five out of 14 Tests.
- WTC 2019-21: Pakistan finished fifth
- WTC 2021-23: Pakistan slipped to seventh
- WTC 2023-25: Pakistan finished eighth (last place)
This downward trajectory led to harsh criticism from fans and media alike, with one journalist particularly grilling Masood about Pakistan’s decline.
Shan Masood’s Fiery Response to Journalist’s Criticism
During the press conference, a journalist questioned Masood’s leadership and asked if he planned to take strong independent action or if he would wait for PCB’s direction given that Pakistan’s next Test assignment is eight months away.
The question visibly irked Masood, who initially refused to answer, responding with a blunt “Next question, please.” However, he then launched into a fierce rebuttal, accusing the journalist of being overly critical and lacking an accurate understanding of the team’s decision-making process.
“See, the way you talked about the last two series, I can’t give any answer to that. If you want to talk about the facts, then do it. Your information is totally inaccurate. By announcing a team or not, things don’t change. In the second Test, we didn’t announce the team; we announced it after a couple of practice sessions and evaluating the conditions.”
“A Lot of Disrespect in Your Questions” – Masood Slams Journalist
This was not the first tense exchange between Masood and this particular journalist. During Pakistan’s England series, the same journalist had grilled Masood, only to receive a sharp response from the captain.
Masood emphasized that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) makes the final decisions, which he and all players respect. However, he expressed frustration at feeling disrespected, urging the journalist to appreciate the team’s efforts and sacrifices instead of focusing solely on criticism.
“It’s your opinion, and I respect it, but you should also respect your players. The decision-maker is the Pakistan Cricket Board. The board takes the decision, and we have always respected it. We are a country, and we are your people. No one tolerates being insulted like this. There was a lot of disrespect in your questions.”
Masood also defended Pakistan’s risk-taking approach, urging critics to understand the process before passing judgment.
“If you want to show someone down, show them. We play for Pakistan, and our efforts are always to bring results. If we are trying something and putting in efforts, and we are ready to make compromises and take risks, you should appreciate this. So, until you know everything, you should not criticize anybody.”
A Frustrating Phase for Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan’s poor performance in Test cricket has put them under immense scrutiny, and Masood’s fiery exchange highlights the frustration within the camp. With Pakistan having no Test cricket for the next eight months, it remains to be seen how the team rebuilds and regroups to bounce back in the next WTC cycle.
For now, Shan Masood’s press conference outburst has sparked intense debates in the cricketing world, with many questioning whether Pakistan cricket needs major reforms to reverse its downward spiral.
