The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named former international cricketer and speedster Wahab Riaz top selector of the national men’s selection committee amid a major overhaul. After “conflict of interest” concerns forced former skipper Inzamam ul Haq to leave on October 30, the former left-arm pacer was named chief selector.
Wahab Riaz named ‘chief selector’ after Pakistan’s World Cup disaster
After it was revealed that Inzamam was a partner in Talha Rehmani’s Yazoo International Ltd., which manages Pakistan’s top cricketers like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the board constituted a five-member committee.
The PCB said Riaz, who has played 27 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 36 T20Is, will select the team for a challenging Australia tour, starting on December 14 with a three-match Test series against the Kangaroos and a five-match T20I series against New Zealand from 12 to 21 January.
After being named top selector, the left-arm fast bowler thanked PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf and added, “I am honoured to assume the role of chairperson for the national men’s selection committee.”
He also stressed the importance of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Australia tour and a T20I series against New Zealand that will prepare the team for the T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies in June next year.
Riaz also added that he and the new Director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez will “work closely for the success of Pakistan cricket” by prioritizing home cricketers for a “well-rounded squad”.
After failing to qualify for the World Cup semis, the Green Shirts’ leadership, coaching, and management staff were reshuffled. Also, after Babar Azam resigned as captain in all three formats on November 15, the PCB named new T20 and red-ball captains.
Shan Masood will captain the national team in Tests, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will head in 20-overs. The board named veteran cricketer Hafeez “Director Pakistan men’s cricket team” to replace Mickey Arthur. The coaching staff’s portfolio has also changed, with coaches directed to work in the National Cricket Academy.
