Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has dismissed speculation of a rift with Test vice-captain Shan Masood after facing backlash over his post-match interview during Pakistan’s historic home Test series victory.
The interview, conducted alongside presenter Zainab Abbas, quickly went viral after Raja questioned Masood about Pakistan’s recent poor run instead of focusing solely on the long-awaited win. His pointed remark — “How did you achieve this, six losses in a row?” — drew sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike, with former pacer Mohammad Amir calling it disrespectful during a celebratory moment.
Social media users accused Raja of undermining the team’s achievement and targeting Masood’s leadership.
Responding on his YouTube channel, Raja clarified that his intention was never to belittle the victory. “I asked a couple of questions, but my goal wasn’t to cast Pakistan’s success in a negative light,” he said. “The more Pakistan wins, the more opportunities open up for all of us.”
Raja also pushed back against the online backlash, saying, “If I lived my life based on social media narratives, I wouldn’t be in this field.” He dismissed suggestions of questioning Masood’s captaincy and emphasized that his comments were taken out of context.
Calling Masood his “son,” Raja added that even during his tenure as PCB Chairman, he felt it was his responsibility to point out mistakes constructively.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to comment on the matter, as it continues to face heightened scrutiny on multiple fronts.
