Lahore, Wahab Riaz, the former Pakistan fast bowler, has been appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee. His immediate responsibilities include selecting squads for Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against Australia and the T20I series against New Zealand.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, Wahab Riaz, who began his international career in 2008, has an impressive record of representing Pakistan in multiple formats, including 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is. His tenure as a player saw him pick up 237 wickets and score 1200 runs. Notably, Riaz emerged as Pakistan’s second-most successful bowler in World Cups, with 35 wickets across three editions of the tournament.
In his new role, Riaz expressed his honor and gratitude for the appointment, thanking Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr. Zaka Ashraf for the opportunity. He emphasized the significance of involving former players in cricket matters and expressed his commitment to the betterment of Pakistan cricket. Riaz acknowledged the challenges of heading the selection committee, particularly with the upcoming Australia tour, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, and a T20I series against New Zealand. These series will be crucial for building a strong team for the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies next year. Riaz plans to work closely with Pakistan Men’s Team Director Mohammad Hafeez and focus on selecting top performers from domestic cricket to form well-rounded squads. He also aims to be accessible to players for feedback and advice.