The way of modern cricket broadcasts is that Shan Masood would barely have finished following through on the winning six he hit that he hadn’t quite middled over long-off, before he was being wheeled into various media obligations. Post-match presentation, photos of the winning team, a cameo on the broadcaster’s post-match analysis, and then a press conference with the wider media.
Usually these happen almost by rote: the same people asking the same questions, and the same answers delivered in different ways (of late, by many different people), the whole thing a little familiar, sometimes a little pally. On Saturday, though, the PCB’s post-match analysis show, Pitch Side, put a harsh and revelatory spotlight on the toxic hinterlands in which Pakistan cricket is wallowing currently.
The presenter, Zainab Abbas, began a question to Masood about the impact six successive losses has on a captain. Began but never completed because she was interrupted by Ramiz Raja, who, as if only then realising it had been six successive losses, pounced on Masood: “By the way how did you achieve this? Six losses in a row. I mean, even if you try to…”
Masood tried to answer, only to be cut off by Ramiz sniggering and laughing. Out of politeness Masood continued to attempt an answer, only for Ramiz to cut him off and ask a follow-up to a question that he didn’t allow an answer to. A little later Ramiz became admonitory and patronising in telling – “asking” is not the correct word to describe it – Masood about his technical issues with the bat.
Inevitably the full 11-minute segment is not as bad as the 30-second clip that went viral on social media makes it out to be. Ramiz, of course, was within his rights to ask tough questions – that is one thing these broadcasts could do with more of. But the sneering, mocking tone to some of the interaction means the lasting impression is as the clip captures it: disrespectful at worst, devoid of empathy at best. It’s not unreasonable to expect better from a man who has captained Pakistan in equally chaotic times (and has fewer wins and Test hundreds under his belt than Masood incidentally). Ramiz is probably not the worst of the ex-players out there, which should tell you just how bad the external noise is.
Within 24 hours of the win, an example of the internal dysfunction Masood must deal with came forth. The PCB released its list of centrally contracted players for the year, four months after the contracts had lapsed – which is arguably not the worst thing about this. Masood is in category B, which isn’t in itself a problem. It’s the damning parentheses that status is accompanied by: “(subject to captaincy)”. This is an official PCB communique, in which it is officially opening speculation on the official future of its own officially appointed captain. To repeat: fewer than 24 hours after he has led the side to a first Test series win at home in nearly four years. Also, after he has been mocked by a former captain and chairman on the official PCB broadcast show.
Within a day of such an uplifting result, the toxicity and dysfunction of Pakistan cricket was all too clear. Savour the win, be wary of the circumstances it’s been achieved against, and above all, spare some sympathy for the captain having to deal with it.
