PCB keeps four of the five selectors for men’s team

Since four of the five persons on the existing selection committee are still in their positions, the PCB has put an end to rumours that the body may undergo significant changes. They are Aleem Dar, a former umpire, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Aaqib Javed.

The sole modification is that Hassan Cheema has been replaced as the data analyst by Usman Hashmi. Hashmi, in contrast to Cheema, will just support the selecting committee and not participate in voting.

There were enough reports of the committee’s major modifications or perhaps dissolution that the PCB released a statement refuting the rumours.

Notably, the declaration also seemed to pave the way for the captain and head coach to start having a voice in selection decisions, if not a formal voting power. “The selection committee is bound to discuss with the head coach and captain of [the respective] formats before finalising the team,” added the statement.

There was some annoyance when the PCB took away the captain’s and coach’s ability to vote on selection issues when the selection committee was revealed in October. Most notably, Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s Test coach at the time, expressed his displeasure at being demoted to the position of “match-day analyst,” saying it was “not what [he] signed up for.” In the weeks that followed, he and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten both left.

Given how frequently the PCB has switched selectors in recent years, it is almost noteworthy that there was no major change to the committee. Pakistan has employed 26 different selectors for the men’s national team since August 2021.

In July, Pakistan will go to Bangladesh for a Twenty20 International series, marking their next international assignment.