Muhammad Wasim appointed as chief selector

LAHORE: Muhammad Wasim has been appointed as the chairman of the national selection committee replacing Misbah-ul-Haq who stepped down from the role a month ago.

Saleem Yousuf has been confirmed as the Chair of the PCB Cricket Committee.  Both have been appointed till the Cricket World Cup 2023after approval by the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani following the final round of online interviews.

Muhammad Wasim’s first assignment will be to select the Pakistan side for the two Tests and three T20Is series against South Africa around mid-January, while the PCB Cricket Committee’s first meeting of 2021 will be held in Karachi in the lead up to the first Test, which will start at the National Stadium from 26 January.

The 43-year-old Wasim is presently head coach of the Northern Cricket Association and was a member of Misbah-ul-Haq’s selection panel until 30 November. He will assume charge of his new responsibilities following the conclusion of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, whose five-day final will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi from 1 January 2021.

Saleem Yousuf last served the PCB as a member of the national selection committee from 2013-2015. The former wicketkeeper-batsman will head the panel that presently includes Ali Naqvi (match officials’ representative), Umar Gul (current cricketers’ representative), Urooj Mumtaz (women cricketers’ representative), and Wasim Akram (former cricketers’ representative).

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The PCB Cricket Committee advices the PCB Chairman on cricket-related matters, including but not limited to the performances of the national cricket teams and their managements, domestic cricket structure, high-performance centres and playing conditions. committee has the powers to invite relevant personnel for its quarterly meetings to assist as part of its evaluation, assessment and recommendation process.

In a statement Muhammad Wasim said he was fortunate to have played with some of the finest cricketers and is confident that he will be able to execute those learnings in this challenging role.

“We have a busy 2021 year ahead and I will focus on being positive on selections that not only address our short-term needs but also fulfil our long-term ambitions. We have immense talent in Pakistan and it is important that they are given opportunities,” he said.

“This is a performance-oriented world and, as such, my philosophy will be to promote meritocracy and select squads according to home and international conditions and requirements. As a chief selector, I will always be willing to make the hard calls, if these are in the best interest of Pakistan cricket.

He said he is looking forward to working closely with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam and collectively strive to take Pakistan cricket forward.