Pakistan cricket is witnessing a significant transformation at its helm following the national team’s recent performance, underscoring a broader restructuring in leadership roles. After failing to secure a place beyond the group stages of the ongoing Cricket World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initiated sweeping changes, falling in line with the overall sentiment of progression.
In a decisive response to the team’s fifth-place finish, the PCB has made several key appointments. Just days ago, Mohammad Hafeez, a seasoned former Test captain, was appointed as the Team Director for the Pakistan men’s cricket team. In a concurrent move that ratified the shifting tides, Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi stepped forward to replace Babar Azam in leading the national setup.
Adding to these top-tier adjustments, the PCB has called upon the expertise of two former Pakistan pacemen to head vital selection committees. Wahab Riaz, the formidable left-arm fast bowler, is now at the forefront as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee. His counterpart in junior cricket development, Sohail Tanvir, assumes control of the junior selection committee.
In the challenging yet pivotal role of chief selector, Wahab Riaz brings his extensive international experience and his enviable track record – a testimony to his 237 wickets and 1200 runs contribution to Pakistan cricket since his 2008 debut. Having donned the national colors in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is, Riaz emerges as Pakistan’s second-most successful bowler in World Cup history, boasting an impressive 35-wicket tally spanning three editions of the tournament.
Riaz’s immediate priority is the meticulous composition of the national squad for the imminent three-Test series against Australia, running from December 14 to January 7, as a feature of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Following this, he will turn his attention to the five-match T20I series on New Zealand’s grounds, slated from January 12 to 21. In a PCB press release, Riaz articulated the gravity and potential of his new responsibilities, highlighting the strategic importance of the upcoming tours and expressing a steadfast commitment to fostering domestic talent for international success.
He emphasized the significance of collaboration with Mohammad Hafeez, pledging to work in tandem for the ascent of Pakistan cricket. His foundational strategy: to prioritize top performers from domestic leagues, ensuring selection aligns with skill and readiness, thereby fortifying Pakistan’s prospects leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup next year in the USA and West Indies.
While Riaz focuses on the senior team’s trajectory, Sohail Tanvir sets his gaze towards nurturing the young cricketing talents. His initial task as the head of the junior selection panel is to choose a formidable Pakistan U19 squad for the 2023 ACC U19 Asia Cup scheduled from December 8 to 17 in the UAE. Post the Asia Cup, his selected squad will contest for the ICC U19 World Cup, which takes place from January 13 to February 4 in Sri Lanka.
Tanvir, making his international entrance in 2007, brings his own wealth of experience to the junior committee, having represented Pakistan with distinction in two Test matches, 62 ODIs, and 57 T20Is. His career figures reflect a commendable 130 wickets alongside a handy contribution of 612 runs.
The PCB’s orchestration of these appointments is not just a reaction to the World Cup exit but also a reflection of a strategic vision designed to revitalize both the on-field performances and the administrative backbone of Pakistan cricket. With Riaz and Tanvir at the helm of selection, Pakistan cricket ventures into an era that promises rigorous scouting, judicious selection, and a clear focus on sustained excellence.