In a recent shake-up within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Waqar Younis has been appointed with sweeping powers over cricketing affairs in Pakistan. Despite his elevated role, Younis will not be involved in the crucial decision of appointing the captain for the national cricket teams. This decision remains within the purview of the team’s head coaches and ultimately, the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
Waqar Younis, the newly appointed PCB consultant, is entrusted with the authority to oversee all aspects of cricket management in Pakistan. However, the appointment of team captains is explicitly excluded from his responsibilities. Instead, the head coaches for the white-ball and Test teams—Gary Christian and Jason Gillespie, respectively—will handle the captaincy decisions. They are expected to provide their recommendations to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who will make the final decision.
This approach signifies a structured and consultative process for selecting the captain, ensuring that the decision is based on inputs from the coaches who are closely involved with the teams. Christian, who is responsible for the white-ball formats, and Gillespie, who oversees Test cricket, will have significant influence over these recommendations.
Sources within the PCB have clarified that while Waqar Younis holds a pivotal role, his mandate does not extend to the captaincy appointments. This division of responsibilities underscores a deliberate separation of roles within the PCB, aiming to balance expertise and oversight in cricketing governance.
One notable development is the appointment of Shan Masood as the captain of the Test team. Despite a less-than-stellar performance in the recent T20 World Cup, the decision regarding Babar Azam’s future remains unresolved. Speculation about a potential surgery for Azam has yet to be confirmed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his role.
The Pakistani cricket team is scheduled to travel to Australia in November for a series of ODIs and T20 Internationals. As such, the captaincy for these white-ball formats is expected to be finalized in October. This timeline is crucial as the team prepares for an important series against a formidable opponent.
The team management has also reported concerns about the performance and discipline of certain players from the T20 World Cup. These issues have posed challenges for the board, leading to discussions about potential disciplinary actions. The decision on whether these players will be included in the upcoming series against Bangladesh is anticipated to be made by next week.
while Waqar Younis takes a prominent role within the PCB, his influence does not extend to captaincy appointments. Instead, the decision-making process involves the head coaches and the PCB Chairman, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of leadership choices. The upcoming months will be pivotal for Pakistani cricket as they prepare for international fixtures and address internal challenges.
