Pakistan Stoop To New Low, Famous Umpire Included In PCB Selection Panel After Multan Horror
Pakistan cricket include former umpire in selection panel [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.Com]
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday confirmed the restructuring of their men's selection panel, which now includes the famous ICC umpire, Aleem Dar, and former cricketers, Azhar Ali, Aqib Javed, Asad Shafiq and Hasan Cheema.
Shocking inclusion in PCB selection panel
PCB confirmed the news via press release as they look to revamp the selection committe after Mohammad Yousuf's resignation from the panel. Interestingly, the appointment comes hours after Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of England in Multan. They became the first team in Test history to lose a game by an innings after scoring more than 550 runs in their first innings.
The selection panel has undergone several changes in the last couple of years, and will no longer see coaches have a say in the squad selection, a baffling decision from the PCB. Under the current regime of PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, the selection committe has seen considerable changes, including the sacking of Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq.
Interestingly, Hasan Cheema and Asad Shafiq were already a part of the selection panel, and Cheema has also been given the voting rights now.
Pakistan cricket at an all-time low after Multan loss
Pakistan cricket has crashed down in the last two-years. They have not won a single Test match at home since 2022 and have a 0% home win percentage record.
Moreover, the last time Pakistan Test team won a game dates back to July 2023, when under Babar Azam's leadership, they defeated Sri Lanka. Since then, the Test captaincy has been given to Shan Masood, and under his guidance, the team has played 6 Tests, and have lost all 6 matches.
Recently they suffered a shocking 2-0 loss at the hands of Bangladesh, and the Test team faced a lot of criticism from all corners.