The PCB on Friday named Wahab Riaz as Pakistan new chief selector with immediate effect. This decision came a week after PCB accepted the resignation of Ex-Pakistan Chief Selector, Inzamam-Ul-Haq. Back on October 30, Inzamam resigned as the Chairman of the National Selection Committee after the PCB initiated a probe to find out if his association with a company that manages a number of national team players amounted to a conflict of interest. Riaz’s first assignment will be to select the squads for the Test tour of Australia and the T20I rubber in New Zealand.
Pakistan is all set to play a Test series in Australia from 14 December to 7 January and a five-match T20I away series against New Zealand from January 12 to 21. The PCB is expected to announce the names of other national selectors in a couple of days after consulting with Riaz.
Talking about Riaz, he is the sports advisor of the Punjab Government who has not played for Pakistan since 2020. But he is still active in the Pakistan Super League and appeared in domestic List A matches last year. In his career span, Riaz has represented Pakistan in 27 tests, 91 ODIs & 36 T20Is. He has also featured in three successive World Cups ending his career with 35 wickets.
Wahab Riaz’s Reaction after being appointed as Pakistan Chief Selector
After being appointed as the Pakistan Chief Selector, Wahab said that he was honored to get into the role of chief selector & added the decision to involve former players in cricketing matters by the PCB is commendable and he is willing to work for the betterment of the sport in the country.
He said that leading a selection committee is a challenging task. He also emphasized that a significant Australia tour is coming up which is a part of the ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle along with the T20I series against New Zealand which will allow them to develop as a formidable unit leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June next year.
Riaz also spoke about his good rapport with the New Director of Cricket & head coach of the Pakistan team, former teammate Muhammad Hafeez.
“I have a good rapport with 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 skill sets. I will always be available to the players for feedback and advice.”
The PCB named a new chief selector after Inzamam resigned from the post last month following the PCB setting up an inquiry committee to probe conflict of interest allegations.
Babar Azam relinquished Captaincy, and Masood & Afridi came on board
Earlier this week., Pakistan’s Captain Babar Azam relinquished captaincy in all formats of cricket. Babar took this major decision after Pakistan’s abysmal World Cup 2023 Campaign. Babar received sharp criticism after Pakistan’s humiliating exit from the marquee event as a result he stepped down from captaincy of all formats. PCB then announced Shan Masood as the Test team Captain, Shaheen Afridi as their T20I captain, and Mohammad Hafeez as the new Director of the Pakistan Men’s team in place of Mickey Arthur.
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