Pakistan selection committee Archives

Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed join Pakistan men’s selection committee

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed changes to its national men’s selection committee, bringing former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed into the panel following the resignation of former elite umpire Aleem Dar.

The updated composition of the selection committee was reflected on the PCB’s official website, confirming a four-member panel that now includes Misbah, Sarfaraz, former fast bowler Aqib Javed and ex-Test batter Asad Shafiq.

Dar’s departure comes after a relatively brief stint as a selector, having been appointed to the role on October 11, 2024. His exit follows reports suggesting internal disagreements during recent selection discussions.

According to sources, the multiple-time ICC Umpire of the Year had grown frustrated with the dynamics of the selection meetings, where he reportedly felt sidelined in the decision-making process.

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The former umpire is also understood to have opposed the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sources further indicated that Dar had strongly backed wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan during the discussions.

He reportedly argued that if the management was willing to persist with players going through inconsistent form, Rizwan deserved similar backing and opportunities.

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Pakistan selection committee shortlists candidates to replace injured Haris Rauf

Pakistan national selection committee is considering young left-arm pacer Akif Javed to replace fast bowler Haris Rauf, who is sidelined due to injury, for the ongoing tri-nation ODI series, sources revealed.

For the unversed, Haris Rauf left the field during the 36th over of the tri-nation series opener against New Zealand after bowling 6.2 overs due to a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region.

“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand,” PCB shared in a statement.

“The injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February.

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“However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February.”

The sources have revealed that a replacement player will likely be added to the squad, with discussions revolving around Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, and Mohammad Ali.

According to sources, the selection committee of Pakistan is inclined towards including Akif as Rauf’s replacement and an official announcement regarding his inclusion is expected soon.

Despite his injury, Haris Rauf will continue to stay with the national squad. Meanwhile, sources confirm that no changes are expected in Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad as of now.

READ: Tri-nation series: South Africa, New Zealand squads reach Karachi

‘I am a matchday strategist’: Jason Gillespie comments on exclusion from selection committee

Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has opened up about his role in the team management after the recent changes in the selection committee.

Previously head coach and captain of the respective formats were part of the selection committee as voting members.

However, following Pakistan’s heavy defeat in the first Test against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) overhauled the selection committee, removing the captain and coach from the selection process.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] has confirmed the recomposition of the men’s national selection committee. It now includes Aleem Dar, Aqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Hasan Cheema as voting members,” the PCB stated.

Jason Gillespie addressed the changes and explained his role during the press conference in Rawalpindi ahead of the third Test against England.

“The PCB came in after that (first) Test match. It was decided that a new selection panel would come in, and they would be making decisions,” said Gillespie.

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“I wasn’t involved in the decision-making. I’m now just the coach for matchday strategy, so I just keep out of things now and just focus on the players and getting them ready for cricket.”

The former Australian pacer stated that he is only focused on creating team strategy and has nothing to do with the team selection.

“Look, it’s not for me to talk about now. I am not a selector; I am a matchday strategist as head coach, and I’m all about the players,” he added.

“My focus is on them. I will let the selectors do their job, and we will just go out there and play the best cricket we can possibly play.”

It’s worth noting that Pakistan have announced an unchanged Playing XI for the third Test, while England have added an additional spinner to take advantage of the conditions.

Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

READ: Michael Atherton skeptical about Rawalpindi pitch mirroring Multan conditions

Two members removed from Pakistan men’s selection committee – reports

Former cricketers Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq have been expelled from the seven-member Pakistan Men’s Cricket Selection Committee, sources claimed.

The shakeup in the national men’s team’s selection committee is a part of the “major surgery”, hinted at by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

With Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq’s expulsion, the selection committee now features Asad Shafique and Mohammad Yousuf, who, are most likely to lose their positions too as the formation of the new selection committee is on the cards.

Following Pakistan’s two consecutive defeats in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, PCB Chairman Naqvi hinted at a major surgery in the team.

Addressing a press conference in New York on June 10, after Pakistan’s gut-wrenching defeat to India, Naqvi said the defeat was disappointing in every way.

“It seemed that a minor surgery would suffice for the Pakistan cricket team, but after the extremely poor performance, it has become clear that the team needs major surgery,” the PCB chairman said.

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He went on to add that he was well aware of what was happening within the team and the reasons for the defeat.

The PCB Chairman mentioned that Pakistani cricket is currently at its lowest performance level. Our biggest challenge is to improve the team’s performance.

“The nation will soon see a major surgery taking place. We have to prepare the team for the Champions Trophy, and it is time to give opportunities to the talent sitting outside,” stated the PCB chief.

Earlier today, Mohsin Naqvi met white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie, and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. He also held a meeting with the former and current cricketers to discuss the future of cricket.

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