The PCB has appointed a new selection committee, including Aleem Dar, after the national team’s significant defeat to England. This restructuring follows a series of poor performances and aims to revitalize the team’s competitive edge. The committee’s initial responsibilities involve selecting the squad for upcoming matches against England and future series in Australia and South Africa.
In response to a disheartening defeat against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has established a new selection committee, which includes the recently retired Test umpire Aleem Dar. This move comes mere hours after the national team faced an embarrassing innings loss of 47 runs, despite managing to score over 500 runs in their first innings—a historical anomaly marking the first occasion a Test-playing nation has lost under such circumstances. The match held in Multan exacerbated Pakistan’s ongoing struggles at home, following a prior loss in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The PCB’s recent restructuring of the selection committee has involved the addition of several notable figures from past cricketing eras, including former Test players Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, as well as sports analyst Hassan Cheema, who has also played a managerial role in Pakistan’s Super League franchises. As previously noted, the selection committee had included former Test batter Asad Shafiq, who was appointed following the resignation of Muhammad Yousuf from his position as national selector. Aleem Dar’s appointment is particularly significant as he holds the distinction of being the first umpire to acquire a role within the PCB. Throughout his illustrious twenty-year career, he officiated in 448 international matches and has been a prominent figure on the ICC’s Elite and International Panels since 2003. The PCB has indicated that all members of the committee will possess voting rights, although it remains unclear whether the head coaches, Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, will retain their voting privileges within the committee. With the newly formed selection committee, the first order of business will be to finalize the squad for the upcoming two Test matches against England, followed by the assembly of Pakistan’s white-ball squads for forthcoming series in Australia and South Africa.
The Pakistan cricket team’s recent performances have raised significant concerns, particularly highlighted by their loss to England despite a strong showing in the first innings. This situation compelled the PCB to reassess its selection committee in an effort to instigate a positive turnaround. Aleem Dar’s inclusion signals a shift towards incorporating diverse expertise in cricketing decisions within the board, particularly as he transitions from an official umpiring career into a role that contributes to team selection and strategy.
In summary, the PCB has taken proactive steps to address the disappointing performance of its national cricket team by appointing a new selection committee. The inclusion of notable former players and analysts is intended to fortify decision-making processes as the committee prepares for crucial upcoming matches. Aleem Dar’s appointment marks a historic change for the PCB, indicating a potential for fresh perspectives in the national coaching framework. As the team looks to reclaim its stature, the effectiveness of this revamped committee will soon be put to the test against formidable opponents.
Original Source: www.cricketcountry.com