PCB confirms high-level appointments for the tenure of 3 years

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday confirmed the appointment of Muhammad Wasim and Saleem Yousaf as Chairman of the Pakistan men’s national selection committee and PCB Cricket Committee respectively.

According to the details, the PCB in its press release said that the appointments were approved by the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani following the final round of online interviews, which were held on Thursday and Friday.

Speaking on the occasion Muhammad Wasim said that “I have been very fortunate to have played with some of the finest cricketers and am confident that I will be able to execute those learnings in this challenging role.

“We have a busy 2021 year ahead and I will focus on being positive on selections that not only address our short-term needs but also fulfil our long-term ambitions. We have immense talent in Pakistan and it is important that they are given opportunities.

“This is a performance-oriented world and, as such, my philosophy will be to promote meritocracy and select squads according to home and international conditions and requirements. As a chief selector, I will always be willing to make the hard calls, if these are in the best interest of Pakistan cricket.

“I look forward to working closely with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and Captain Babar Azam as we collectively strive to take Pakistan cricket forward.”

Whereas Saleem Yousuf said “It is an honour to chair the group, which boasts some highly respected and knowledgeable people.

“The objective of this panel is to evaluate, analyze and assess cricket-related matters and then make recommendations to the PCB Chairman on how Pakistan cricket can improve, strengthen and move forward.

“With the support of my colleagues on this committee, I look forward to making a significant contribution so that we can continue to move Pakistan cricket forward.”

Muhammad Wasim Profile

The 43-year-old Wasim is presently head coach of the Northern Cricket Association, which is second on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy points table behind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Last season, his side won the National T20 Cup and finished runners-up in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

By virtue of being the head coach of the Northern Cricket Association, Wasim was a member of Misbah-ul-Haq’s selection panel until 30 November. Wasim will assume charge of his new responsibilities following the conclusion of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, whose five-day final will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi from 1 January 2021.

He Hails from Rawalpindi and played 18 Tests and 25 ODIs from 1996 to 2000. He has Scored 783 Test runs, including a century on debut, and 543 ODI runs. Muhammad Wasim has played 194 first-class matches from 1994 to 2011, scoring 10,074 runs. He is also the member of Pakistan side that won the 1996/1997 tri-series in Australia that also included the West Indies.

Wasim has also played cricket in New Zealand and the Netherlands. He was appointed Sweden men’s national team coach in 2018 and also appointed Northern Cricket Association coach and member selection committee in 2019.

Saleem Yousuf Profile

Saleem Yousaf hails from Karachi and has played 32 Tests and 86 ODIs from 1982-1990. Scored 1,055 Test and 768 ODI runs and dismissed 104 batsmen in Tests and 103 batsmen in ODIs. He has played first-class cricket from 1978-1996 for five sides and Scored 4,578 runs and dismissed 339 batsmen

Yousaf also played in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1987, which was hosted by India and Pakistan. He was Member of the Pakistan sides that beat India in India in 1986 and England in England in 1987, and won the Nehru Cup in India in 1989. He served as assistant manager and coach of the Pakistan side for the 1996 World Cup and served as a member of the junior selection committee in 2003. He also served as a national selector from 2013-2015.

Saleem Yousuf last served the PCB as a member of the national selection committee from 2013-2015. The former wicketkeeper-batsman will head the panel that presently includes Ali Naqvi (match officials’ representative), Umar Gul (current cricketers’ representative), Urooj Mumtaz (women cricketers’ representative), and Wasim Akram (former cricketers’ representative).

The PCB Cricket Committee’s remit is to advice the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on cricket-related matters, including but not limited to the performances of the national cricket teams and their managements, domestic cricket structure, high-performance centres and playing conditions.

The Committee has the powers to invite relevant personnel for its quarterly meetings to assist as part of its evaluation, assessment and recommendation process.