The landscape of Pakistan cricket is undergoing significant changes in the aftermath of the team’s disappointing exit from the World Cup. Following the consequential reforms, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has heralded the former pace bowler Wahab Riaz as the chief selector for the national men’s team. This pivotal appointment comes on the heels of Inzamam-ul-Haq’s departure from the role amid swirling allegations of a conflict of interest and the team’s failure to secure a spot in the semifinals.
Wahab Riaz, age 38, recently hung up his boots on an illustrious international career in August, although he continues to participate in global franchise cricket leagues. Throughout his career, he adorned the national colors in 27 Tests, 91 One Day Internationals, and 36 Twenty20 Internationals, with his last appearance for Pakistan dating back to December 2020.
The newly appointed chief selector expressed his sense of honor and duty in a statement. “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,” Wahab said. “The decision to involve former players in cricketing matters is commendable, and I am willing to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.”
As he takes charge, Wahab’s inaugural challenge will be engineering the squad for Pakistan’s arduous tour of Australia, where they are slated to play three Test matches. This tour is pertinent, as it falls under the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. Upon the culmination of this series, Pakistan faces New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, critical preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies in the following year.
The anticipation for these tours is flaring, especially since PCB also confirmed the appointment of the fabled allrounder, Mohammad Hafeez, as the team’s new director. “We have a significant Australia tour coming up…and a T20I series against New Zealand that will allow us to develop a formidable unit…” Reassured Wahab, who also mentioned his existing rapport with the team’s director, asserting that they will work in close tandem to pilot Pakistan cricket to resounding success.
Wahab’s holistic approach to team selection underscores his commitment to meritocracy, aiming to prioritize domestic cricket performers for national team consideration. He avows to be engaged with players, offering them feedback and advice, seeking to foster well-rounded squads that are equipped with the essential skills to compete and triumph on the international stage.
Pakistan’s cricketing echelons are set to witness a profound evolution with Wahab’s leadership calibrated towards rejuvenating the team’s performance. Fans and critics alike are keeping a close watch as the team ventures into a new era of resurgence under the guidance of one of its most fiery competitors. With Australia and New Zealand on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Wahab Riaz’s foray into the realm of cricket administration and leadership. The cricket community anticipates the fruition of his efforts in solidifying Pakistan’s stature in the competitive pantheon of international cricket.