Naqvi hints at changes in selection committee, reveals who will appoint captain

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has suggested the possibility of restructuring the national selection committee to grant it greater autonomy and power in appointing the team captain and selecting players. 

Naqvi expressed his desire to refrain from directly interfering in decisions regarding the captaincy and team composition, emphasizing the need for the selection committee to operate independently in cricket-related matters.

During a press conference, Naqvi outlined plans to overhaul the selection committee, aiming to empower it to collaborate with the team's head coach in recommending the captain and finalizing the squad.

“I will not be picking the captain. The selection committee will be appointing captain. I might be making some changes in that committee, but I believe that the selection committee should be empowered enough to be able to take these important decisions. The credit and blame will then lie with the committee, along with the coach and captain. Since they are responsible to bring results, they will be making decisions,” Naqvi said.

The current national selection committee, led by former Test cricketer Wahab Riaz, is expected to undergo changes under Naqvi's vision. Notably, Riaz, known for his previous cricketing career, is likely to retain his position as chief selector, or potentially assume a more prominent role within the committee, given Naqvi's trust in him. Their past collaboration during their time in the Punjab government has likely influenced Naqvi's decision.

Naqvi reiterated that while winning or losing matches is part of the game, he prioritizes the players' commitment and their best efforts on the field. His focus remains on fostering a culture of wholehearted dedication and performance within the Pakistani cricket team.

“It does not matter whether we win or lose, but our hard work should be apparent to everyone watching. Our team definitely steps in the field to win, but it is alright to lose, as long as the team is losing with dignity. When I talked to the players, I explained that losing is acceptable as long as there are not any total collapses. In the coming days, the players and management alike will be working very hard, the result, however, is up to Allah,” Naqvi said.