The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that national selectors Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali will travel to Australia and Zimbabwe for upcoming white-ball series, holding final say in team selection.
The PCBs Strategic Decision
In a significant shift in its selection policy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to send national selectors Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali to Australia and Zimbabwe, respectively, for the upcoming white-ball series.
This move comes after the PCB revamped its selection committee following a disappointing performance in recent matches, including a crushing defeat to England in the Multan Test.
Under the new policy, the selectors will have complete authority over team selection, including both the touring squad and the playing XI for each match.
This marks a departure from the previous approach, where team selections were a collaborative effort involving the captain and coach.
The PCB believes this change will allow for more cohesive decision-making, directly aligning selectors with the teams during the tours.
Selector Assignments for Upcoming Tours
Asad Shafiq will be stationed in Australia, while Azhar Ali will travel to Zimbabwe. Both selectors are tasked with closely monitoring player performances and making final decisions on team compositions after consulting with their fellow selectors in Pakistan.
“That is why the board will send Asad to Australia so that he will be with the team for all the matches and will have the final say in selection matters after consulting his fellow selectors in Pakistan,” a source stated, adding that Azhar Ali will do a similar job in Zimbabwe.
The PCB aims to ensure that the selectors are well-informed about on-ground conditions, enabling them to make strategic choices that could enhance the team’s performance.
The selectors recently announced the ODI and T20I squads for both tours, with Pakistan set to compete in six matches of each format starting November 4.
This proactive approach is seen as vital for improving team dynamics and performance, particularly in the white-ball formats where Pakistan has historically shown promise.
Recent Coaching Changes
The PCB’s decision follows the resignation of Gary Kirsten, who stepped down as head coach for the limited-overs format.
Kirsten’s resignation stemmed from frustrations regarding the lack of input in selection matters. Jason Gillespie, the head coach for the Test team, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the white-ball series.
This coaching transition further emphasises the PCB’s commitment to restructuring and refining its cricketing strategies.
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