PCB Names Former Pacer As New Chief Selector of Men’s Cricket Team

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Former left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz has been named the new chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.

Riaz, who represented Pakistan in 154 international matches, recently announced retirement from international cricket and has now been given the responsibility of selecting the team for Australia’s Test tour.

“Former Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee. His first assignment will be the selection of the national men’s squad for the three-match Test series against Australia from 14 December to 7 January in Australia and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand from 12 to 21 January in New Zealand,” the PCB stated in a brief press release.

Talking after his appointment as the chief selector, Wahab thanked the PCB staff for giving him such an opportunity and expressed his desire to select a competent team for the Australia Test and New Zealand T20I tour.

“I am honoured to assume the role of chairperson for the national men’s selection committee and I extend my gratitude to Chairman PCB Management Committee, Mr Zaka Ashraf, for entrusting me with this responsibility. The decision to involve former players in cricketing matters is commendable and I am willing to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” Wahab said in a video released by the PCB.

“Heading a selection committee is a challenging task. We have a significant Australia tour coming up that is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle and a T20I series against New Zealand that will allow us to develop a formidable unit leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June next year. I have a good rapport with the Pakistan Men’s Team Director Mohammad Hafeez and we will be working closely for the success of Pakistan cricket. My primary goal would be to give weightage to the top performers in domestic cricket and announce well-rounded squads equipped with the necessary skillsets. I will always be available to the players for feedback and advice.”

It must be noted that the PCB has been heavily active for the past few days as since Wednesday (November 15), they have appointed new captains for T20I and Test cricket after Babar Azam stepped down from his position.