PCB appoints Shahid Afridi chief selector for New Zealand series

The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) management committee appointed on Saturday former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi as the interim chair of the men's selection committee for the home series against New Zealand.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the new panel after the selection committee, headed by Mohammad Wasim, was sacked. 

Other members included in the panel are Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, while Haroon Rashid — who is a member of the management committee — will be the convener.

Najam Sethi, who is heading a panel governing the PCB's affairs, welcomed the members of the committee in a message: "I welcome the interim men’s national selection committee and have no doubts that despite limited time, they will make brave and bold decisions that will help us produce a strong and competitive side in the series against New Zealand."

“Shahid Afridi has been an attacking cricketer who played all his cricket with no fear. He has nearly 20 years of cricket experience, has featured in all formats with significant success and more importantly, has always backed and supported young talent. So, in our collective opinion, there is no better person than him to understand the rigours, demands and challenges of the modern day game," Sethi was quoted as saying in a statement.

Sethi said that Afridi will help Pakistan "select the best and most deserving players and contribute to the side’s success in the upcoming series" with his insight and knowledge.

“I feel honoured to have been assigned this responsibility by the PCB management committee and will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling this responsibility to the best of my abilities," said Afridi while reacting to his selection. 

“We need to get back to our winning ways and I have no doubts that through meritocratic and strategic selection decisions, we will help the national side to perform strongly in the series against New Zealand and reclaim the confidence of our fans.

“I will soon convene a meeting of the selectors and will share my plans with reference to the upcoming matches.”

Stats 

Afridi played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 99 T20I from 1996 to 2018 in which he scored a total of 11,196 runs and took 541 wickets. He also captained the national side in 83 international matches. He was a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 at Lord’s.

Razzaq, in a 17-year career from 1996 to 2013, played 343 international matches and scored 7,419 runs and took 389 wickets. He was also a member of the side that won the 2009 side that lifted the T20 World Cup at Lord’s.

Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010.