Shahid Afridi was named the interim chief selector of the Pakistan men’s national team on Saturday. Afridi will lead an interim committee of selectors including former players Abdul Razzaq, Rao Ifthikar Ahmed and Haroon Rasheed.
For now, the committee will only select the team for the home series against New Zealand, which includes two Tests and three ODIs and starts on Monday. Both Afridi and Haroon are members of the cricket management committee, headed by Najam Sethi, appointed to run the affairs of the game for the next four months.
The newly appointed 14-member commission had on Friday ousted Muhammad Wasim as chief elector, a position he had held since December 2020.
“I welcome the Interim Men’s National Selection Committee and have no doubt that despite the limited time they will take courageous and bold decisions that will help us build a strong and competitive side in the series against New Zealand,” Sethi said in a statement. statement.
“Shahid Afridi has been an attacking cricketer who played all his cricket without fear. He has almost 20 years of cricket experience, has played across all formats with considerable success and more importantly has always supported and supported young talent.
“So, in our collective opinion, there is no better person than him to understand the rigors, demands and challenges of the modern game,” Sethi added.
A day before his dismissal, Wasim had named a 16-member squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand.
“I have no doubt that through meritocratic and strategic selection decisions we will help the national side to perform strongly in the series against New Zealand and regain the trust of our fans,” said Afridi.
“I will soon arrange a meeting of the selectors and will share my plans regarding the upcoming competitions.”