In a surprising appointment that has sparked plenty of discussion across the cricket world, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forward Test skipper Shan Masood for a high-profile jury role, placing him alongside India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar and former head coach Ravi Shastri. The panel has been assembled by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide the greatest international cricketers from the past 25 years, with Masood set to be the second Pakistani included, following the presence of the legendary Wasim Akram.
ICC jury formed to select the best of the last 25 years
The ICC announced the creation of a selection jury on Monday, tasked with naming the top international players over a quarter-century span. Masood’s inclusion has been met with raised eyebrows, not least because his leadership stint as Test captain has drawn heavy scrutiny.
A report carried by PTI suggested the nomination came on the PCB’s recommendation while the jury lineup was being finalised. The decision stands out further given Masood’s uneven record in the longest format, including Pakistan’s defeat in the opening Test of the current two-match series in Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s Test captaincy record under Shan Masood
Since Masood took over the Test captaincy in 2023, Pakistan have suffered 11 defeats in 15 matches. That tally places him jointly among the most losses for a Pakistan Test captain, matching the number recorded by Inzamam-ul-Haq across 31 Tests.
Misbah-ul-Haq continues to own the most unwanted mark among Pakistan’s captains, with 19 defeats from 56 Tests. However, Misbah also holds the distinction of the most wins for Pakistan in Tests as captain, with 26 victories.
- Masood’s Pakistan have lost 11 Tests out of 15 since he became captain in 2023.
- That is the joint second-highest number of Test defeats for a Pakistan skipper, equal to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s record.
- Misbah-ul-Haq remains the benchmark for defeats among Pakistan captains with 19 losses in 56 Tests.
- Misbah-ul-Haq also has the most wins as Pakistan Test captain (26).
When it comes to away performances during Misbah’s captaincy, Pakistan are yet to register a Test win, having lost all six away games. Meanwhile, all four of Misbah’s Test wins during his captaincy era have come at home. Those victories included two against England in 2024, which remain the only Test series Misbah won as captain. The other two home wins arrived against the West Indies in 2025 and against South Africa last October.
- Misbah-ul-Haq: no away Test wins; Pakistan lost all six away Tests during his captaincy.
- Misbah-ul-Haq: all four wins came at home.
- Those home wins included two series/Tests versus England in 2024.
- Another home win came against the West Indies in 2025.
- The final home win listed came against South Africa last October.
Why Masood was nominated and who else sits on the jury
This is not the first time PCB has pushed Masood into a major cricketing role. Last year, he was offered the position of Director (International Cricket and Players Affairs), but he declined the opportunity. The reasoning, as described by sources, was that he wanted to complete the ICC World Test Championship cycle while still serving as captain.
Sources also indicated that Masood is likely to accept the ICC jury assignment because of his “strong educational background and cricket experience,” despite the criticism that has followed his Test captaincy results.
Jury members named alongside Masood
Beyond Masood and the India duo of Ajit Agarkar and Ravi Shastri, the ICC jury is set to include a wide mix of players and cricket figures from different eras and roles. The list also features former India internationals Irfan Pathan and Cheteshwar Pujara, along with several notable global names.
- Irfan Pathan (India)
- Cheteshwar Pujara (India)
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
- Ajit Agarkar (India)
- Ravi Shastri (India)
- David Gower
- Ian Bishop
- Mark Boucher
- Carlos Braithwaite
- Tom Moody
- Greg Chappell
- Matthew Hayden
- Aaron Finch
- Andrew Flower
- Allan Donald
- Faf du Plessis
- Daniel Vettori
- Ross Taylor
- Shane Watson
- Jonathan Trott
- Tim Southee
- Eoin Morgan
