Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood‘s press conference on Monday had an awkward moment, which required the Pakistan Cricket Board‘s (PCB) media director to intervene and rebuke the journalist for ‘disrespecting’ the skipper with the way he framed and asked his question.
“One last humble request,” said Sami ul Hasan, PCB Director of Media and Communications, after the conference ended.”Pakistan ka captain baitha hai, aap bilkul sawal karein (Pakistan captain is sitting, you can definitely ask questions). But please show respect…It was not the appropriate way of asking the Pakistan captain the question that you asked.”
It was Masood’s first meeting with the media after being retained as the Test skipper for the first match of the home series against England.
WATCH: PCB media head intervenes
PCB Director of Media and Communication, Sami ul Hasan, scolded Javed Iqbal, the journalist who misbehaved with Shan Masood, and asked him to show respect. pic.twitter.com/dS1lKCJHoR
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There has been criticism of the PCB and its selection panel for sticking to non-performing players despite a series of defeats and ignoring some of the young talent in domestic cricket. It also led to selector Mohammad Yousuf resigning from his post.
The journalist’s question was framed around that, but Hasan was not happy with the way it was asked.
WATCH: The journalist’s question
The journalist had questioned: “Shan, you said that until the time they (PCB) are giving you a chance, you will continue. But doesn’t your conscience tell you that you are losing, not able to perform, and should quit and leave?”
A visibly miffed Masood looked straight at the PCB Director of Media standing to his right and then handled the awkward moment with a smile on his face while looking at the journalist. He didn’t answer the question.
Since crashing out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage itself earlier this year, Pakistan have been whitewashed 0-2 by Bangladesh in a home Test series. They will next host England.
The first Test of the three-match series against England begins on October 7 in Multan.