The board wants to complete the task of appointing a new coach within a week.
Sources informed Geo News on Monday that with the 2024 T20 World Cup drawing near, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to enhance the authority of the National Selection Cricket Committee.
Mohsin Naqvi, the recently appointed chairman of the PCB, advocates for granting full authority to the selection committee. He reaffirmed his commitment to refraining from meddling in internal affairs, emphasizing the importance of allowing the committee to function autonomously.
Sources indicate that the selection committee will be tasked with the crucial responsibilities of appointing a new coach and selecting the captain for the national team. Additionally, it has been disclosed that these empowered departments will be held responsible for their decisions and actions.
It’s worth noting that former Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz currently heads the Chief Selection role within the national selection committee. Sources further indicated that a decision regarding Riaz’s position will be forthcoming in the near future.
At present, the Pakistan cricket team finds itself without a head coach following the resignation of Team Director Mohammad Hafeez, which occurred subsequent to the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2024.
Despite the pressing need to find a new coach within a one-week timeframe, the PCB is showing a preference for appointing a foreign coach. This decision comes after Shane Watson and Darren Sammy withdrew from contention for the position of team manager.
Previously, The News disclosed that Darren Sammy turned down advances from the PCB, citing his contractual obligations with the West Indies board as the head coach of their white-ball teams.
With neither Sammy nor Watson in contention, the PCB is anticipated to explore interim options for overseeing the national team’s preparations during the training camp in Kakul from March 25 to April 8. This period precedes the commencement of the home five-match T20 series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on April 14 in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
