The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted for continuity, retaining four of its five current selectors for the men’s national team. The lineup consists of Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed, and former umpire Aleem Dar. The only new face is Usman Hashmi, who replaces Hassan Cheema as the data analyst, although unlike Cheema, Hashmi will not have a vote and will solely support the selection process.
Amidst rumours of major alterations or a complete overhaul of the committee, the PCB felt compelled to clarify the situation. Their statement emphasised that the head coach and captain will be consulted before team finalisation, though it stopped short of granting them voting rights. “The selection committee is bound to discuss with the head coach and captain of respected formats before finalising the team,” it stated.
When the committee structure was unveiled last October, the PCB removed the captains’ and coaches’ rights to vote on selections, which led to dissatisfaction. Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s Test coach at the time, expressed his role had diminished to merely “match-day analyst,” which he found contrary to his expectations. Consequently, both Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten exited shortly after.
The decision to largely retain the existing selectors stands out, considering the board’s history of frequent changes. Since August 2021, an astonishing 26 selectors have been cycled through for the men’s side. As the team prepares for their next tour in July to Bangladesh for a T20I series, stability might just provide the groundwork needed for success.
Danyal Rasool serves as ESPNcricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @Danny61000.
