In usual circumstances, an athlete retires from their respective sport before venturing into some form of board related role within it's organisation. However, a recent story has blown that view out of the window. The Pakistan Test captain, Shan Masood, has been given a new position within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
In a one-of-a-kind move, the PCB has appointed its current Test captain, Shan Masood, as Consultant for International Cricket and Player Affairs — a senior administrative position that, in most cricket boards, would be incompatible with the role of an active international player; let alone a national team captain. This, even by the administrative standards of PCB, which is never too far from drawing eyeballs, is unprecedented.The PCB declined to say whether this meant Masood was leaving his position as international cricketer or Test captain, or whether he would do both jobs concurrently.
The PCB is currently actively recruiting for the position of Director International Cricket, with applications closing on 2 November. It's understood that it's that vacancy that Masood could eventually fill while expected to perform that task on a caretaker basis in the interim.
The previous Director International Cricket was Usman Wahla, who was appointed in May 2023. He was suspended from the role in September this year, though there has been no official confirmation from the PCB concerning his employment status since. It has been reported that Masood and the players were informed of his new role at a dinner reception hosted by the Prime Minister in honour of the visiting South African side.
The PCB's official statement is shrouded in uncertainty, saying nothing about Masood's specific responsibilities, how long he will be in the job for, or how it affects his status as captain and player. The decision comes just a day after the conclusion of Pakistan's Test series against South Africa, which Masood captained, and which the sides shared 1-1. Masood was the joint-highest scorer for Pakistan in the series.
There's no word from Masood in the statement the PCB put out on Friday. Masood has had the reins of the Test team for just over two years now, a period in which his position as captain has come under considerable scrutiny. He has won only one Test series - against England last winter - but before that; he had become the first Pakistan captain to lose a Test series against Bangladesh. His tenure - ten losses and four wins - includes a drawn series at home against West Indies and whitewashes in Australia (3-0) and South Africa (2-0). Pakistan finished last in the last WTC cycle.
Masood's own batting performances as captain have actually shown an improvement on his overall career record. It hasn't prevented his leadership from being subject to almost permanent uncertainty, however and it was only shortly before the South Africa series that it became clear he would remain captain.
Masood's appointment as consultant is all but unprecedented, however and surprising even by the standards of this PCB administration. Given the demands of what such an administrative role would ordinarily require, it can't help but raise questions about his playing future. It could also potentially raise any number of conflicts of interest, with an active cricketer looking over the affairs of players who play under him or alongside him.
Pakistan's next Test assignments are two-match series against Bangladesh and West Indies next year, before a three-match tour of England in August 2026.
Shan Masood is set to step down from his leadership role and join the PCB as Director International Cricket, a day after his side’s defeat to South Africa in Rawalpindi.
The announcement, made by PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, during a reception hosted by Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, for the Pakistan and South African teams, took many by surprise — particularly since the PCB’s deadline for applications to the position is still a week away.
Masood, who primarily features in Test cricket, is expected to continue playing while serving in the PCB role — a first-of-its-kind arrangement in international cricket.
However, the decision has raised eyebrows within the board and among legal experts. According to the PCB Constitution, active players aren't permitted to hold official posts within the organisation. Positions such as this can only be taken up after retirement.
The role of Director International Cricket has been under scrutiny since Usman Wahla, the previous occupant, was suspended during the Asia Cup. Wahla’s suspension followed his delay in sending an e-mail to the ICC protesting an incident involving match referee, Andy Pycroft, who reportedly instructed Pakistan captain, Salman Agha, not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav after a tense game.
The PCB later filed a formal complaint demanding Pycroft’s removal from the tournament — a request that was rejected by the ICC. The matter ended with a meeting between Pakistan officials and Pycroft, who expressed regret over the incident, but continued officiating Pakistan’s matches.
Despite Wahla’s suspension, he was later reinstated, reportedly due to his political connections with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League.
In recent weeks, the PCB had advertised the post, requiring candidates to have played both Tests and ODIs for Pakistan — a criterion Masood clearly meets, with 44 Tests, 9 ODIs and 19 T20Is to his name. Interestingly, several names were being discussed for the role, including former captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who, according to local media, was the favourite for the position but chose not to apply.
Masood’s appointment marks a significant shift — symbolically linking Pakistan’s current playing generation with the country’s cricket administration. However, it also raises questions about governance, transparency and adherence to the PCB’s constitution.
Since Masood only plays Tests, which are far and few in between, he will take up the consultant's job but will also continue to play. This will be the first instance at the international level that a player will also serve on the board, the report claimed. However, his appointment will be in violation of the PCB Constitution, which doesn't allow any current player to take a post on the board. They can only take on the role after retirement.
Whether this dual role proves a bold new model or a constitutional misstep remains to be seen. For now, Shan Masood’s transition from the field to the boardroom has become one of Pakistan cricket’s most intriguing developments in recent years.
Shan Masood is definitely entering an unknown territory. However, I do believe he has to make a choice between his playing career and his new role. There's an obvious conflict of interest. Despite the appointment, I also believe that the PCB should've waited for the deadline to be met before making the decision. Rash decisions aren't always a good idea.