Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has been included in the International Cricket Council’s panel tasked with selecting the greatest international cricketers of the past 25 years, alongside former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram.
While Akram is widely considered one of the greatest cricketers, Masood’s appointment to the high-profile jury has raised eyebrows in cricket circles. However, a PTI report said the recommendation for his inclusion came from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the finalisation process.
The left-handed batter had previously been offered the role of Director of International Cricket and Players Affairs by the PCB last year. However, he declined the position at the time, preferring to continue leading Pakistan through
the current ICC World Test Championship cycle.
With Pakistan struggling in the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh and facing the prospect of another defeat, speculation has grown over Masood’s future as captain. The report said he could now reconsider the PCB’s administrative offer, citing his educational qualifications and extensive cricketing experience.
Appointed Pakistan’s Test captain in November 2023, Masood’s leadership tenure has been profoundly turbulent. Taking over a struggling side, his captaincy began with a crushing 3-0 whitewash against Australia.
The nadir arrived in 2024 when Pakistan suffered a humiliating 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh, their first ever against them. Masood endured an agonizing six consecutive Test defeats before securing his first victory against England.
In 45 Tests, he has managed 2,561 runs at a modest 30.1 average, including six centuries. His white-ball returns are even bleaker: a mere 163 runs at an 18.11 average in 9 ODIs, and 395 runs across 19 T20Is, averaging under 21.
Others in the ICC jury
The ICC jury features several former and current cricketers from across the world, including India’s Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravi Shastri.
Other notable names on the panel include David Gower, Ian Bishop, Mark Boucher, Carlos Brathwaite, Tom Moody, Greg Chappell, Matthew Hayden, Aaron Finch, Andrew Flower, Allan Donald, Faf du Plessis, Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor, Shane Watson, Jonathan Trott, Tim Southee, and Eoin Morgan.
