In light of a significant defeat to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed a new selection committee, including retired umpire Aleem Dar and former players Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali. The committee will work on selecting the squad for upcoming Tests and white-ball matches, following a troubling streak of losses for the Pakistan team.
In response to a staggering loss to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has restructured its selection committee, appointing notable figures including newly-retired Test umpire Aleem Dar. This change comes on the heels of a disheartening innings and 47-run defeat in Multan, marking a significant low for the national team. Despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings, this match witnessed Pakistan becoming the first Test-playing nation to be defeated after such a high score, further compounding the team’s challenges following their earlier defeat in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The newly appointed selection committee comprises several distinguished former cricketers. Alongside Mr. Dar, the panel includes former Test players Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, as well as sports analyst Hassan Cheema, a prominent figure noted for his previous managerial role within the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Asad Shafiq remains on the committee, having assumed his role after Muhammad Yousuf’s recent resignation. Mr. Dar brings extensive experience to the committee, having officiated in 448 international matches over a notable career exceeding two decades. His retirement from international umpiring positions him as the first umpire to transition into a selection role within the PCB. However, it remains unclear whether head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie will retain voting rights on this committee. The PCB has made numerous adjustments to its selection committee under two different chairmen over the past year. The newly constituted committee’s primary objective will be to select the squad for the remaining two Tests against England and subsequently to finalize selections for Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia and South Africa.
The Pakistan cricket team has recently faced significant setbacks, including a distressing defeat against England in which they lost by an innings and 47 runs despite achieving a score exceeding 500 in their first innings. This defeat is historically notable, as it marked the first instance where a Test-playing nation suffered a loss after posting such a substantial score. Following a previous series loss to Bangladesh, these events have compelled the PCB to reevaluate and revise its selection strategy drastically. The restructuring of the selection committee is thus a critical aspect of an overarching effort to rejuvenate the national cricket team’s performance.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s revamping of its selection committee is a strategic move aimed at addressing the team’s recent performance issues. By appointing experienced figures such as Aleem Dar, the PCB seeks to infuse expertise into the selection process. The committee’s immediate challenge will be to form a capable squad for upcoming international contests. As the PCB continues to adapt its strategies in response to performance challenges, the focus remains on restoring the team’s competitive standing in international cricket.
Original Source: www.cricketcountry.com
