PCB Restructures Selection Committee Following England Defeat

In response to a deplorable defeat against England and a poor series against Bangladesh, the PCB has reshaped its selection committee by appointing retired umpire Aleem Dar along with former players Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali. This reorganization aims to address the team’s recent failures, as they prepare for upcoming Tests and white-ball series.

In the wake of a significant defeat against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has constituted a new selection committee to address ongoing challenges within the national team. Among the notable appointments is Aleem Dar, a recently retired Test umpire, who joins former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, as well as analyst Hassan Cheema. This overhaul in the selection panel follows an embarrassing innings loss by 47 runs in Multan, marking a historic low for Pakistan as they become the first Test-playing nation to lose despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. This defeat is part of a dismal series of results for Pakistan, which recently lost a two-match Test series to Bangladesh. Aleem Dar’s noteworthy career includes officiating in 448 international matches over more than two decades, culminating in his decision to retire from international umpiring at the conclusion of the upcoming domestic season in 2024-25. The PCB has indicated that all members of the new committee will possess voting rights, although there are uncertainties surrounding the voting status of head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie. The previous selector, Muhammad Yousuf, stepped down shortly before Dar’s appointment, while former Test batter Asad Shafiq remains a part of the committee. The newly revamped selection panel will face the immediate issue of selecting the squad for the remaining two Tests against England, followed by the formation of white-ball teams for upcoming series in Australia and South Africa.

The Pakistan national cricket team’s poor performance has prompted the PCB to make significant changes to its selection committee. With a recent series of subpar results, including a loss to Bangladesh and a historic defeat against England where the team failed despite a substantial first innings score, it became imperative for the PCB to reevaluate and restructure its selection strategy. The inclusion of experienced individuals like Aleem Dar is intended to bring a fresh perspective to the committee and address the evident deficiencies in the team’s recent performances.

The establishment of a new selection committee by the PCB after a disheartening loss underscores the urgent need for change within Pakistan cricket. Aleem Dar’s transition from umpiring to this role, alongside experienced players and analysts, reflects the PCB’s commitment to improving team performance. The committee’s immediate task will be critical in determining the team’s direction for upcoming matches, particularly as they aim to recover from recent setbacks and regain their competitive standing in international cricket.

Original Source: www.cricketcountry.com