"These All Are..." - Shan Masood Reacts To Being Labeled As 'Qurbaani Ka Bakra' 

Newly appointed Pakistan skipper Shan Masood reacted to being labeled as the sacrificial lamb ahead of the Test series against Australia. He said that all these things are temporary and one should relish the opportunity given to him. 

Following Pakistan’s torrid run in the ICC World Cup 2023, there were massive changes in the team. The entire coaching staff including the selector was sacked.  Adding to his, skipper Babar Azam stepped down as leader after facing a lot of criticism, and it’s nothing but added salt to the wounds. 

A new chapter has now unfolded in Pakistan Cricket. Shan Masood was appointed as the new Test skipper and he will be facing his biggest challenge in his first assignment. Pakistan will be touring Australia for the three-match Test series and to win down under is not a cakewalk. 

Many feel that by putting Shan Masood at the helm, the PCB is trying to make him the scapegoat amid the entire World Cup fiasco. Pakistan in the recent past had horrendous outings in the Tests in Australia as they have been whitewashed in each of their five previous Test series. 

Shan Masood was asked about being labeled as the sacrificial lamb. He also talked about Pakistan’s track record in Australia, saying that it’s an opportunity for them to do something special. Speaking to reporters, he explained: 

“We see it as an opportunity. When you haven’t done something before in your history, then you are given an opportunity to go out there and try to change it. So that’s what we’re trying to do, to get a positive result for Pakistan and in this World Test Championship. 

“And as far as being qurbaani ka bakra (sacrificial lamb) is concerned, the captaincy, playing as a player in the side, these are all temporary things at the end of the day. As long as you are in that place or seat, you should relish the opportunity, enjoy it and try and take responsibility, and give your best ability to the team.” 

I’m fortunate that I’ve had such opportunities – Shan Masood 

Shan Masood talked about his leadership, saying how leading in PSL was a turning point in his career as a person and player. He also shared his experience of leading in the county and stated: 

“I’m fortunate that I’ve had such opportunities along the way in my career. I’ve said before that when I became captain of Multan Sultans under Andy Flower, that was a big turning point in my career as a person and player. 

“I look back and reflect on that whenever I go through ups and downs as an experience that has helped me as a cricketer. Then at Derbyshire and then the Yorkshire project which was quite a challenging one because of the stuff that was happening there. So, to take that captaincy along, off the field and on the field the issues gave me some experience and hopefully I can use that for Pakistan.” 

The first Test match between Pakistan and Australia will be played in Perth from 14th December. The focus will then shift towards the second match, to be played from 27th December in Melbourne. The final match will happen in Sydney from 3rd January.