Shan Masood reveals shocking truth about match-fixers in Babar Azam-starrer Pakistan Team

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has given a big and clear response to the match-fixing allegations against Pakistan's players after their disappointing performances recently. Shan Masood cleared the air that there is no match-fixing in Pakistan's current set-up.

Pakistan is currently preparing for the home Test series against Bangladesh where the two teams will play two Tests. In a press conference before the series, Masood was asked the question of the involvement of Pakistan's players in match-fixing.

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Shan Masood claims 'No match-fixing' in Pakistan cricket

After Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, a senior journalist in the country had accused Babar Azam of match-fixing. However, Masood Shan Masood was clear in his response and claimed that Pakistan's players are not involved in match-fixing at all.

“I can’t question anybody’s intention as you used the word match fixing. I don’t think in the current setup of Pakistan cricket, nobody can question their integrity. It’s something which I don’t agree with at all. Secondly, world cup is past now and we need to look forward. I can guarantee all our players want to win matches for Pakistan but wins and losses are there and we’re the saddest whenever we lose,” said Masood in the pre-match press conference.

“As you spoke about Arshad Nadeem, he’s a national hero. What he’s achieved now it has further catapulted him to a greater stature and we’re very happy about that. We’ll take inspiration from Arshad Nadeem’s success and hope to bring in more glory for Pakistan,” he added.

Pakistan's players have been involved in match-fixing before as well. Saleem Malik, the former Pakistan cricketer was the first cricket player to receive a life ban due to match-fixing. In 2010, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir also received bans in a shocking match-fixing scandal.

Pakistan have tried to change the mindset of playing Tests, claims Shan Masood

Shan Masood also stated that Pakistan will be looking to play a different brand of cricket in Tests. He claimed that such a brand will be exciting to watch and the fans will enjoy watching them play.

"We have tried to change the mindset of playing test cricket. We will try to play such a brand of cricket which brings wins to Pakistan and makes Pakistani fans happy as well," Shan Masood said.

"We have tried to change the mindset of playing test cricket. We will try to play such a brand of cricket which brings wins to Pakistan and makes Pakistani fans happy aswell." - SHAN MASOOD! #PAKvBAN

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) August 11, 2024

Pakistan's recent form

Pakistan cricket has been struggling for quite some time now. Once known to produce some of the best cricket players, the team is in a disappointing state right now. They exited from the T20 World Cup 2024 in the group stage after suffering a shocking defeat to the USA.

In the previous ICC tournament, Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023. As a result, the team's white-ball skipper is under severe pressure to perform. His white-ball captaincy is believed to be under threat as well.

Pakistan is in the fifth spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) rankings with two wins and three defeats so far. Their last Test series was against Australia which they lost 0-3 to the home side. The series against Bangladesh will be crucial for the Men in Green and they will be aiming to push towards the WTC Final which will be held next year.