Multan, Pakistan
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly trimmed the men’s selection committee as the skippers and head coaches of the side will no longer serve in that capacity. According to a report on Thursday (Oct 17), PCB has trimmed the committee to five members and plans to not extend it beyond. This comes after former umpire Aleem Dar was added to the committee along with four other members.
No more captains, coaches in selection committee
According to a report from Cricbuzz, the committee will no longer comprise the above-mentioned capacities, with the new panel already in praise for team selection during the ongoing Test match against England. The development comes less than a week after PCB decided to overhaul the selection committee. As things stand, Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali are part of the selection process, with veterans like Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, and various other PCB officials also joining them.
The move also comes at a point when Pakistan no longer has a white-ball captain after Babar Azam decided to resign from his post for the second time in less than 12 months. Azam was also dropped from the Pakistan team from the Playing XI against England in the Test in Multan with a recommendation from the panel. This trimming also included Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, despite them being integral members of the white-ball set-up.
ALSO READ | IND vs NZ: Rishabh Pant limps off with knee injury, mounts pressure on Team India ahead of Australia tour
Pakistan have England on the mat in Multan
England need 261 runs more to win the second Test match in Multan with eight wickets in hand and result is possible on Friday with the Bazball approach of the visitors. Ben Stokes’ side leads the series 1-0 having beaten Pakistan at the same venue last week while records tumbled left, right and centre. If Pakistan manage to get the better of England in the second Test they will draw the series at 1-1 with one more match to go.