The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former fast bowler Wahab Riaz as the Chief Selector of the national men’s selection committee. His inaugural task involves selecting the national squad for the three-match Test series against Australia, scheduled from December 14 to January 7 in Australia, and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to take place from January 12 to 21 in New Zealand.
Wahab, who made his international debut in 2008, boasts an impressive cricketing career, featuring in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is, amassing 237 wickets and contributing 1200 runs across all formats. Notably, he emerged as Pakistan’s second-most successful bowler in World Cups, securing 35 wickets across three editions of the prestigious tournament.
Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, Wahab stated, “I am honored to assume the role of chairperson for the national men’s selection committee, and I extend my thanks to Chairman PCB Management Committee, Mr. Zaka Ashraf, for entrusting me with this responsibility.” He commended the decision to involve former players in cricketing matters and expressed his dedication to working for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.
Acknowledging the challenges of heading a selection committee, Wahab highlighted the crucial upcoming Australia tour, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, and the T20I series against New Zealand. These events will play a pivotal role in shaping a competitive unit for the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June next year.
Wahab emphasized collaboration with the Pakistan Men’s Team Director, Mohammad Hafeez, expressing their intention to work closely for the success of Pakistan cricket. He outlined his primary goal of prioritizing top performers in domestic cricket and forming well-rounded squads with the necessary skill sets. Additionally, Wahab pledged to be readily available to players for feedback and advice.
