Rawalpindi, Aug 14: Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood severely countered a question related to match-fixing by some of his teammates, and clarified that the team does not lack integrity or commitment.
Replying to a query by a scribe during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh, Masood stated nobody should question the integrity of players in the current Pakistan set-up.
He clarified that they all want to win matches and try their level best. But winning and losing is part of the game and if a team struggles to win, it is wrong to target players with accusations like match-fixing, Masood clarified.
However, he agreed Pakistan has not performed well in the ICC World Cups in the last two years. But that does not mean the players are not putting their best efforts, he said.
Masood further stated that Pakistan need more Test matches. They need to play more red-ball matches, he added.
Referring to javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem's historic Gold medal in Paris Olympics 2024, Masood said we all take inspiration from his (Nadeem's) success and hope to bring in more glory for Pakistan.
As per current standings in Tests, with two wins from five Tests in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, Pakistan have a point percentage of 36.66%. They are behind India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the points table.
As per future Test schedule, Pakistan after hosting Bangladesh, will host England for three Tests, and West Indies for two Tests. They are also slated to tour South Africa for a two-Test series.
If they can win all their remaining games, Pakistan can end up with a point percentage of 77.38% and be almost certain to play their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) final.
In the two previous WTC finals, India have been the most consistent team with two runners-up finishes. New Zealand won the first WTC title led by Kane Williamson, while Australia clinched the second WTC trophy under Pat Cummins's captainship. But despite reaching the finals twice, India failed to win the title.
