Former fast bowler Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the chief selector of the men’s cricket team, following the resignation of Inzamam-ul-Haq from the post last month amid allegations of a conflict of interests.
The 38-year-old Riaz, who retired as a player in August, boasts an impressive record with 27 tests and 91 one-day internationals (ODI) for Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Riaz’s appointment, revealing that his inaugural responsibility would be selecting the squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Expressing his gratitude in an official statement, Riaz stated, “I am honored to take on this role and would like to extend my thanks to PCB chief Zaka Ashraf for entrusting me with this responsibility.”
He acknowledged the commendable decision to involve former players in cricketing matters and expressed his commitment to working towards the betterment of Pakistan cricket.
Riaz emphasized the importance of collaboration, mentioning his “good rapport” with team director Mohammad Hafeez.
He pledged to work closely with Hafeez to ensure the success of Pakistan cricket, stating, “My primary goal would be to give weightage to the top performers in domestic cricket and announce well-rounded squads equipped with the necessary skillsets.
I will always be available to the players for feedback and advice.”
The resignation of former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq came in the wake of media reports linking one of his co-directors in a UK-based company to the management of an agency representing leading Pakistani cricketers.
Inzamam stepped down during Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup campaign, where they exited at the group stage, finishing fifth in the standings.
Adding to the recent changes in Pakistan cricket, bowling coach Morne Morkel stepped down on Monday, and batsman Babar Azam resigned as captain in all three formats on Wednesday. The cricketing landscape in Pakistan is undergoing a transformation, and Riaz’s appointment as chief selector marks a new chapter as the team prepares for upcoming challenges on the international stage.
