Babar Azam Poised For Dual Role As PCB Revamps Selection Committee

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan's T20I team, might soon take on an additional role as a selector if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) implements its new selection committee structure.

Following Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, PCB is considering a new approach for the selection committee. This plan includes involving coaches of both white-ball and red-ball formats along with the respective format captains. Reports suggest that former cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq will also join the committee.

On Wednesday, PCB confirmed that Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz were informed their services were no longer needed in the national selection committee. This decision came after allegations surfaced that Wahab and Mansoor had favoured certain players who then failed to perform.

If Babar Azam continues to lead any of the three formats, he will become a selector for the Pakistan cricket team under this new system. Shan Masood took over as Test captain after Babar stepped down following Pakistan's disappointing World Cup 2024 performance.

Babar was reappointed as T20I captain months before the World Cup 2024, where Pakistan lost to both the USA and India, failing to reach the Super 8 stage. He has yet to decide on his future as captain, leaving it up to the board.

Frequent Changes in Selection Committee

Over the past four years, PCB has seen six different top selectors: Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Wasim, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Haroon Rashid, and Misbah-ul-Haq. Each had relatively short tenures in their roles.

Sources told Geo News that Wahab and Mansoor were involved in providing undue favours to certain players. These players were included in the team but failed to deliver satisfactory performances.

This potential change in selection committee structure aims to bring more accountability and performance-based selections for Pakistan cricket.