‘Take a bow’: Pakistan captain’s speech after Test defeat is ‘pure class’

While Pakistan’s coach was fuming, the touring captain showed how to lose gracefully with a classy act that won over Aussie fans.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood won plenty of admirers with a classy post-match speech following his side’s loss in the Boxing Day Test.

The tourists put up a fight and were within striking distance of a famous upset, but collapsed to lose the second Test by 79 runs.

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Trailing the target of 317 by less than 100 with five wickets in hand, Pakistan had Australia in trouble before Pat Cummins dismissed Mohammad Rizwan with a delivery that glanced off the wristband attached to his glove.

Rizwan was given out via DRS but was adamant the ball hit his forearm, while Pakistan coach Mohammad Hafeez said inconsistent umpiring and a “technology curse” cost his side the game.

So it wouldn’t have been a surprise if Masood had ripped into the umpires and DRS over the dismissal of Rizwan, which turned the match in Australia’s favour.

But the touring captain was pure class speaking to Fox Cricket’s Isa Guha in his post-game interview.

After speaking about his team’s gutsy performance, Masood took a moment to thank the MCG groundstaff for preparing a pitch that produced an excellent balance between bat and ball.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood thanked the MCG groundstaff. Photo: Fox Cricket.

“Sorry can I just mention the groundsmen,” Masood said.

“I thought they did a wonderful job. This is one of the better Test pitches that we’ve played on.

“It was something for everyone and we’re really glad that we got to play such an exciting Test match. Thank you.”

Isa Guha responded: “Thank you Shan. Plenty of class in that. Absolutely, thank you to (MCG curator) Matt Page and the rest of the ground staff.”

Viewers were full of praise for Masood’s classy speech and tribute to the ground staff.

One fan said: “Shan Masood, take a bow.

“He just lost a test that was within their grasps, spoke incredibly well then gave a shout out to how well the grounds staff did their job and the presentation and honour to play at the MCG. Absolute gentleman.”

A second said: “I love listening to Shan Masood. Really liked the way he praised the groundsmen for giving a pitch that had something for both batters and bowlers.”

Another commented: “Lovely concession speech by Masood including thanking the groundspeople. Great stuff.”

The captaincy of Shan Masood on Australia tour has been impressive. His body language and batting was very positive. No pressure vibes from Shan. This was not an easy decision to start test captaincy on Australia tour but Shan have proved out to be a courageous captain!👍#AUSvPAKpic.twitter.com/1MvQmarmue

— Asad ali (@Asadali43045206) December 29, 2023

Shan Masood’s post match press conferences have been absolutely outstanding. 👏🏼

For a losing captain to not only find all the positives like he has but also give props to the groundsman at the end, he’s pure class! Pakistan have a great leader. 💯 #AUSvPAK#BoxingDayTest

— Brain 🧠 (@SC_Brain) December 29, 2023

Shan thanking the groundsman is apt and generous and a lovely touch to finish a superb Test match. Congratulations to both sides for such a great show. #AUSvPAK

— Andrew Faulkner (@AndrewFaulkner9) December 29, 2023

Masood made a century in the warm-up game against the Prime Minister’s XI and scored 54 and 60 in his two knocks at the MCG.

He said his side played well but too many mistakes let Australia back in the game.

“You have to look at the bigger picture and the positives,” Masood said.

Pakistan's captain Shan Masood was all class. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

“We can easily be like, ‘What if we did this, what if we did that’. That’s all part of the game.

“I thought there were a lot of positives but if you give a quality side like Australia a sniff — which we did sometimes with the ball, sometimes with the bat, yesterday in the field if you drop someone like Mitchell Marsh — we might not have been chasing so many.

“But mistakes happen. In the bigger picture, this is the way we want to play Test cricket, fighting to the end.

“We’ve taken 20 wickets, which we haven’t done in Australia in a while. That’s a box ticked. A lot to work on, but this is the blueprint for how we want to play Test cricket.”

Australia retained the Benaud-Qadir Trophy and heads to the New Year’s Test at the SCG with an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Originally published as ‘Take a bow’: Pakistan captain’s speech after Test defeat is ‘pure class’