PCB welcomes new chief selector in place of Inzamam-ul-Haq

Wahab Riaz Named Interim Chief Selector: Former cricketer Wahab Riaz takes charge as the interim chief selector of the PCB, filling the void left by Inzamam ul Haq’s resignation.
Strategic Vision for Pakistan Cricket: Wahab emphasizes a focus on top performers in domestic cricket, collaboration with Team Director Mohammad Hafeez, and gearing up for significant tours against Australia and New Zealand.
Major Cricketing Changes Unveiled: Pakistan witnesses a cricketing shakeup with Shaheen Afridi as T20I captain, Shan Masood as Test captain, and Mohammad Hafeez donning the dual roles of coach and director.

In a surprising turn of events, former cricketer Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the interim chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This move follows the resignation of Inzamam ul Haq from the post, citing a conflict of interest.

Inzamam stepped down on October 30th, during the midst of the World Cup, when Pakistan was vying for a spot in the semifinals. The position has been vacant since then, creating anticipation about who would fill the crucial role.

Wahab Riaz, who was still actively participating in franchise cricket, expressed his enthusiasm and vision for the future of Pakistani cricket. He spoke about his good rapport with the Pakistan Men’s Team Director, Mohammad Hafeez, who has been appointed as the team’s director and coach for the upcoming series against Australia and New Zealand.

New chief selector happy with his role

Wahab emphasized the importance of giving weightage to top performers in domestic cricket and forming well-rounded squads with the necessary skill sets.

“The [PCB’s] decision to involve former players in cricketing matters is commendable, and I am willing to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” Wahab stated in a board statement. “Heading a selection committee is a challenging task. We have a significant Australia tour coming up as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle and a T20I series against New Zealand, allowing us to develop a formidable unit leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June next year.”

Wahab also revealed that he would maintain open communication with the players, providing feedback and advice whenever needed. His dual role as an active cricket player and caretaker sports minister adds an interesting dynamic to his responsibilities.

With major changes in Pakistan cricket, including Shaheen Afridi as the T20I captain, Shan Masood as the Test captain, and Mohammad Hafeez taking on the roles of coach and director, the cricketing landscape in Pakistan seems to be undergoing a significant transformation. Fans are eager to see how these changes will impact the team’s performance, especially with challenging series against Australia and New Zealand on the horizon.