LAHORE: Pakistan’s Test skipper Shan Masood has been handed an added responsibility as Consultant for International Cricket and Players’ Affairs, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.
The decision was reportedly first revealed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a luncheon hosted for the Pakistan and South Africa teams, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
While the board has now issued an official confirmation, it has not yet specified the scope or details of Masood’s new role.
The 36-year-old left-handed batter has represented Pakistan in 44 Test matches, leading the side in 14 of them. Under his captaincy, Pakistan clinched a 2-1 series victory over England last year — their first home Test series win against the English side since 2005.
Masood’s appointment comes roughly a month after the suspension of PCB’s Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, due to delays in forwarding a critical communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
According to sources, Wahla’s removal followed his failure to promptly forward an official letter regarding the Asia Cup handshake controversy, which stirred widespread debate across global cricket circles.
Reports suggest the PCB management grew increasingly dissatisfied over the delay, which ultimately led to his suspension.
The PCB had earlier submitted a formal complaint to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from duties during the Asia Cup 2025.
The grievance stemmed from the high-profile incident during the Pakistan–India clash in Dubai, where both captains skipped the traditional pre-match handshake — an act reportedly instructed by Pycroft.
In its official communication, the PCB stated that the referee’s directive “violated the spirit of cricket” and was inconsistent with MCC’s long-standing customs.
“No handshakes took place before or after the match, which directly goes against the traditions of the game,” the letter emphasized, further accusing Pycroft of failing to uphold his duties and breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
The matter was eventually settled after Andy Pycroft issued an apology to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and the team management.
