"There are no hard feelings from my side" - Shan Masood on Ramiz Raja's controversial comments during PAK vs ENG 2024 series
Pakistan red-ball skipper Shan Masood has opened up about his recent tense interaction with former cricketer Ramiz Raja, where he was cornered with the prospect of his winless run as captain. The Men in Green faced a horrid run of form in the ongoing cycle, with Masood inevitably being in the spotlight.
Pakistan implemented a few radical measures after revamping their selection committee after a 0-1 deficit against England on home soil. With the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah being dropped, the hosts went spin-heavy for the latter half of the series, and it bore fruit as they overturned the result to win 2-1.
After the series win in Rawalpindi, Shan Masood interacted with Ramiz Raja for the broadcaster. Midway through the segment, the former player and PCB chairman surprised the viewers and Masood by bringing up his losing streak, which included series losses to Australia and Bangladesh.
"There are two things that you will see. One is how to play on seaming conditions and the other thing is if it is a one-off. How did you achieve this, six losses in a row?" Raja said on-air (via The Hindustan Times).
Despite being alarmed by the tone and nature of the question, Masood kept his cool and gave a diplomatic answer to calm the storm.
"Ramiz bhai, we needed this win. The nation needed this win and I am really happy for Pakistan," Shan Masood replied.
Masood has now remarked that he does not resent Raja for what he said. He maintained that people have the right to ask questions.
"There are no hard feelings from my side. "I've always been an open book in front of the media and tried to conduct myself in the best possible way. People have every right to ask questions however they want. I want to give the best account of myself and for my character to be reflected the way I am. I'm good at taking constructive criticism and I'm also good at filtering stuff out," Masood told BBC Stumped (via ESPNcricinfo).
With a frantic home season wrapped up, Shan Masood is not in action as Pakistan tours Australia for a white-ball series. Their next Test assignment, the last in the ongoing cycle, is scheduled against South Africa, away from home.
"Sometimes, people need a break" - Shan Masood on Babar Azam
Not many envisioned a time when Babar Azam would not be part of the Pakistan team, barring injury issues. The ace batter was controversially omitted from the squad for the latter half of the England series, as the management asserted that he had been rested and not dropped.
Proven domestic performer Kamran Ghulam replaced Babar Azam in the middle order. The debutant stepped up with a ton in his maiden Test to make a massive statement.
"I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to [say he doesn't have] a future. He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket. He's always there or thereabouts in the rankings. Sometimes, people need a break," Shan Masood said (via ESPNcricinfo).
"I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit and he'll come back a stronger player. There's no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He's played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he'll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan," he added.
Babar Azam has been included in the squad for the Australia tour and will be keen on making an impact after relinquishing his captaincy recently.