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In a dominant display of cricket, England thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test in Multan. Pakistan struggled to match England’s aggressive batting and precision bowling, resulting in a humiliating defeat. England’s bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up in both innings, while their batsmen piled on a massive score, leaving Pakistan unable to recover. The crushing defeat has placed immense pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and prompted immediate changes in the team’s setup.
PCB announces major overhaul in the National Selection Committee
Following the loss, the PCB wasted no time in revamping the National Selection Committee. The PCB has introduced a fresh set of voices, adding former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, international umpire Aleem Dar, and cricket analyst Hasan Cheema to the selection panel. This move aim to bring both experience and innovative thinking to the selection process. Asad Shafiq, a former Test batter, remains on the committee, having taken on the role after the resignation of Muhammad Yousuf just days ago. Yousuf’s sudden departure left a gap that the PCB quickly addressed with the reshuffling.
A unique selection committee composition for Pakistan
The appointment of Aleem Dar as a selector marks a historic first for Pakistan, as he becomes the first umpire to be included in the national selection committee. Dar, who retired from international umpiring in 2023, brings with him a wealth of experience from officiating in over 400 international matches, offering a unique perspective on player performance and game dynamics.
Javed, known for his outspoken criticism of both the board and the team’s approach in recent years, returns to the fray in a decision that suggests the PCB is looking to inject more accountability and honesty into their operations. His deep knowledge of the game, especially in fast-bowling strategies, could help address some of Pakistan’s on-field issues. Meanwhile, Cheema, a well-regarded cricket analyst, has been added to offer data-driven insights to the selection process, which is expected to complement the traditional experience brought by the other members.
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Immediate challenges for the committee
The newly revamped committee’s first order of business will be selecting the squad for the remaining two Tests against England. With Pakistan already down 0-1 in the series, the committee faces immediate pressure to make selections that can reverse the team’s fortunes. Following the Test series, the selectors will have the equally critical task of selecting squads for upcoming white-ball series in Australia and South Africa. These tours are essential for Pakistan’s preparation ahead of next year’s international tournaments, including the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
