‘It all starts in the locker room’: Ahead of Bangladesh Tests, Shan Masood focused on improving team culture
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Pakistan Test Captain Shan Masood He said the dressing room plays a crucial role in shaping the performance on the field and the team is focused on improving it. Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the first of two Tests starting in Rawalpindi on Wednesday in what will be a busy season consisting of a total of nine Tests, allowing them to put a disappointing period on the field behind them.
Pakistan have endured a turbulent nine months after failing to qualify for the 2023 World Cup round of 16. ODI World Cup and then fail to progress to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup in June.
Not only the disappointments on the field, but also the atmosphere in the dressing room has been marred by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s leadership decisions and its erratic ways of governance, leading to unstable relations within the dressing room, reports suggest.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to do well at home and the atmosphere in the dressing room plays a huge role in shaping the performance on the pitch,” Masood said at the pre-match press conference.
“Our main objective and what I believe as a leadership philosophy, which Jason also believes in along with all the other players, is that everything starts from the locker room,” Masood added.
It is noteworthy that former Australia player Jason Gillespie has been appointed as Pakistan’s red-ball coach and while the task against Bangladesh looks easy on paper at home, it will test not only Masood but also Gillespie’s leadership qualities.
Adding to the disappointment at the World Cups, Pakistan were beaten in Australia and New Zealand in the longest format and struggled in a home T20I series against a depleted Kiwi side, a defeat which led to Shaheen Shah Afridi being sacked as T20I captain.
Masood said he and Gillespie are looking to create an “inclusive” environment while also supporting players and providing them with an atmosphere to enjoy the game.
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