'khuddari nahi aati?': Pak skipper Shan Masood faces journalist¡¯s blunt remark during media interaction

The Pakistan cricket team has been under intense scrutiny due to a string of poor performances over the past few years. Their struggles were highlighted when they endured a humiliating 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh, which was a new low for the team.

Pointed question leaves Shan Masood taken aback

The appointment of Shan Masood as Pakistan¡¯s Test captain was hoped to bring a positive change, but his tenure has been anything but smooth. Since taking over, Masood has faced a challenging period, losing five consecutive Tests.

Pakistan first suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia, followed by their dismal performance against Bangladesh. With a crucial three-match Test series against England set to start on October 7, Masood recently attended a pre-series press conference.

During the event, he found himself on the receiving end of a rather sharp and unexpected question from journalist Javed Iqbal. Iqbal asked Masood if he had ever thought about stepping down after such poor performances.

@TheRealPCB this journalist is The Man of the press conference ?
Fans k Dil ki BAAT krdi pic.twitter.com/hCV2lv994L

¡ª Agenda Girl ? (@agenda_girl021) September 30, 2024

The journalist¡¯s blunt query was: "Shan, abhi aapne bola ki jab tak voh mauka de rahe hain toh aap avail karenge. Par kya kabhi khud se khuddari nahi aati ki haar gaye, performance nahi ho rahi, toh chhod k chale jaaye?" (Shan, you just said that as long as you're given the opportunity, you'll avail it. But doesn¡¯t it come from within to step aside when you've been losing and the performances aren't there?)

The question left Masood momentarily taken aback. However, before he could respond, Pakistan Cricket Board¡¯s (PCB) Director of Media and Communication, Sami ul Hasan, intervened to defend the skipper.

Sami ul Hasan addressed the media, saying, ¡°Pakistan ka captain baitha hai, aap bilkul sawal karein but please show respect and particularly I am referring Javed. It was not the appropriate way of asking Pakistan captain the question that you asked.¡±

Press conference poses difficult moments for Masood

While the exchange with Javed Iqbal was a notable moment, the entire press conference turned out to be a testing session for Masood. He was questioned repeatedly about Pakistan's overall performance and the challenges the team has faced since their disappointing exits from the 2023 ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The recent home series loss to Bangladesh only added to the pressure.

As Pakistan prepares to face a strong England side, Masood had to navigate a series of pointed questions from the press. One journalist asked: "Have we still not come out of this liking and disliking in the team? We are continuing to give those (inconsistent) players chances... Shouldn't (batsman) Kamran Ghulam be given a chance from now on?"

"If I back a player who becomes a good servant for Pakistan cricket and lose my own spot in the process, I will have no regrets."

Shan Masood answered a question about Pakistan's Test openers.#PAKvENG | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/ecNlKGhssN

¡ª Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) September 30, 2024

Masood, clearly frustrated by the tone of the questioning, responded: "Sir thoda apna question rephrase kar dein, aapne thode facts bhi galat bataye hain (please rephrase your question, your facts are incorrect)." A brief back-and-forth followed, with the journalist raising issues about Pakistan¡¯s selection policy and performance statistics.

The journalist pressed on, asking, "If a player has one fifty in 10 innings, how many chances will you give him?"

Masood remained composed, replying, "With all due respect, I don't think your question is accurate... I agree that Pakistan hasn't played good cricket in 2024," before clarifying that comparing Test performances with T20I results was not fair. "Things should be looked at objectively," he added.

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When it came to the criticism over backing underperforming players, Masood stood firm. "If I back a player who becomes a good servant for Pakistan cricket and lose my own spot in the process, I will have no regrets," he stated.

The Pakistan team, led by Masood, is now gearing up for the first Test match against England, which begins on October 7 in Multan. The series is seen as a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to reverse their poor form and silence their critics.

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