LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi met chief selector Wahab Riaz on Friday to discuss matters related to the selection of the national side and its preparation for the upcoming Twenty20 International series against New Zealand.

The meeting was also attended by the PCB’s chief operating officer Salman Naseer and director international cricket Usman Wahla, leaving out Wahab as the only attendant with a cricketing background.

The only part that PCB chairmen have played in selection of teams in the past has been that of giving the final approval. Mohsin, however, discussed with Wahab in detail over which players should be picked for the Pakistan’s upcoming training camp, which is set to be held in country’s military academy in Kakul.

Mohsin’s involvement in selection matters comes in stark contrast to his claims that he would empower the selection committee.

“The chairman instructed to assemble a pool of players based on merit and performance,” the PCB said in a press release, adding that Mohsin wanted Wahab to consider the high-performers of the recently-concluded HBL Pakistan Super League for the series which starts on April 18.

“A pool of players selected purely on merit and performances will possess the ability to perform well at the highest level,” Mohsin said in the meeting. “The high performers of HBL PSL 9 should also be kept in mind and rewarded for their performances.”

Wahab Riaz was appointed as chief selector by former PCB chief Zaka Ashraf in place of former Test captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Sources believe Mohsin does not confide fully in Wahab, especially due to how the latter’s step of including tainted former Pakistan captain Salman Butt in his team of selection consultants after he had taken charge.

The sources further said there were chances that Wahab had talked to Imad Wasim, one of the top performers of the PSL, to take his consent to be available for the home series against the Black Caps, following the instructions of Mohsin.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2024