LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi named a new selection committee for senior men’s national side on Sunday, interestingly, without naming a chief selector.

Former international pacer Wahab Riaz, who had held the position since November last year, was demoted as one of the members of the new committee, which includes the ex Pakistan Test players Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq.

Mohsin said the selection committee -- comprising of seven members in total -- will be completed by the Pakistan captain, the side’s head coach and its data analyst, with all three to be named in due course. He added that the committee will be assisted by “coordinators”.

“We have reorganised the selection committee,” Mohsin told reporters in a press conference here at the Gaddafi Stadium. “It will comprise seven members, and each will have equal power.

“There will be no chief selector so that there can be healthier debate. Each of the member selected to be part of the committee have been thoroughly deliberated upon.”

While claiming that he wouldn’t be “involved in any decisions regarding the selection”, Mohsin said the PCB was still working on finding a new head coach for Pakistan, who are scheduled to start a training camp at the country’s military academy in Kakul from Monday.

“We will be sending some players to the PMA Kakul camp which I believe would have positive impact of the physical fitness of our players, as well as the team bonding,” said Mohsin of the camp, being conducted for Pakistan’s preparation for the upcoming five-match Twenty20 International series againt New Zealand. “We are currently also working on finalising coaches. We will confirm the news whenever the time comes as I do not believe in making premature statements.”

The New Zealand series will be the start of Pakistan’s build-up to the T20 World Cup, which is slated to be held in June in the United States and the West Indies. The PCB, however, is yet to decide who is going to lead the national team in the tournament.

Although pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as the T20 captain by Mohsin’s predecessor four months ago, reports emerging recently have hinted that the bowler is set to step down as skipper.

Mohsin said the selection committee would decide if it’s going to be Shaheen who continues to be the Pakistan skipper or if some other senior player would take the role. Once the appointment is finalised, Mohsin said, the PCB would “stick by him for a long time”.

“No matter what the results are on the field, the selection committee will be held accountable,” Mohsin noted. “If the captain does not have a say in the team, you cannot hold him accountable as he leads the team. Same with the head coach, because he has to run the dressing room.”

Mohsin also confirmed the PCB’s interest in bringing Imad Wasim back to into contention for the national squad for the T20 World Cup a day after the all-rounder had announced he was rescinding his retirement from international cricket following his talks with the board.

HARIS’ CONTRACT REINSTATED

Pacer Haris Rauf was also welcomed back to the fore after his central contract was reinstated. The fiery right-armer had his charter with the board cancelled in November last year with then chief selector Wahab alleging that Haris had turned down the PCB’s demand for him to feature in the three-match Test series against Australia.

Mohsin said the controversy had unfolded due to a “misunderstanding” which was resolved by the new management.

“As for Haris Rauf, there was some misunderstanding,” he noted. “His contract has been reinstated and we are currently working on his injury. He is our star player and we have to look after him.”

Furthermore, Mohsin said the PCB under him would focus on investing available funds into development of cricket, while calling for patience from the fans and the cricket fraternity.

He revealed that talks have started over the expansion of the HBL Pakistan Super League by increasing the number of franchises in the T20 tournament, while adding that the resumption of the Women’s League – a PSL-style T20 tournament for women – was also on the PCB’s agenda.

Mohsin said an International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation was set to arrive her on Sunday night to hold discussions over next year’s ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan.

“We are planning to host the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and we will leave no stone unturned for it,” he observed. “We discussed the matter during the recently held ICC meeting in Dubai, where we reiterated our commitment towards hosting the event.

“The ICC team is reaching Pakistan today. We will be collaborating with them. The three stadiums — Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi — are being readied for Champions Trophy. We will then upgrade venues in Quetta and Peshawar too.”

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2024