ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday appointed former Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir as the head of its selection committee, a top official said.

The 53-year-old Qadir takes over from former fast bowler Saleem Jaffer, who was made the head of an interim selection committee last month.

“Qadir will be our new chief selector,” PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters here, adding that other members of the selection committee will be announced soon.

Sources said Saleem Jaffer and former Test opener Shoaib Mohammad would also be on the new selection committee.

Ijaz added that he had set targets for everyone on the board.

“Our primary target for the first year is that Pakistan climb into the top three rankings in any two forms of the sport; Tests, One-day Internationals or Twenty20 games,” he said, making it clear that if this target was not fulfilled he would resign.

Qadir’s appointment is part of the PCB’s drive to use the experience of former players to put the Pakistan team back on track. The board on Wednesday also appointed former captain and batting legend Javed Miandad as its director general.

Meanwhile, Qadir said his priority will be to select the most deserving players.

“I want to give my honest dedication and will select players on merit and devise a system where no first-class player can complain that he was not selected despite doing well,” Qadir said.

Qadir, known for reviving the art of leg-spin bowling at the highest level, played 67 Tests for Pakistan in the 1970s and 80s, taking 236 wickets at 32.80 apiece. He also played 104 ODIs, capturing 132 wickets.

Qadir, who quit international cricket in November 1993 with an ODI against Sri Lanka at Sharjah, further said he had been asked about his availability and had little hesitation accepting the post.

“It is a big honour and task for me and the aim of the selectors should be to pick the best national side and also give exposure to new talent,” he said.

This is the first time that Qadir has been appointed to the selection committee.

“I want to make the most of the opportunity and hopefully help Pakistan cricket with my experience,” said Qadir, whose first task will be to select the team for a high-profile home series against India.

“The first task is difficult, but we will do the selections honestly so that we can put the best fight against India who are improving by leaps and bounds,” stated Qadir.

India are scheduled to tour Pakistan in January-February to play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 International.—Agencies