After the dismal performance of the Babar Azam-led side in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on November 14 sacked the entire selection committee that selected the squad for the quadrennial event, as per Samaa TV. The selection committee sacked by chairman Zaka Ashraf comprised of Tauseef Ahmed, Wajahatullah Wasti, and Wasim Haider.
PCB is likely to announce the new selection committee in the next couple of days. This new committee's first task will be to choose the squad for the upcoming Pakistan tour of Australia.
Ashraf also met former cricketers Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Tanvir, and Wahab Riaz in a meeting at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Earlier, Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as chief selector midway through the World Cup after allegations of conflict of interest. After Pakistan's exit from the event, bowling coach Morne Morkel who was roped in on a six-month contract stepped down from the role as well.
Meanwhile, there have been rumours that Babar may get sacked as captain after Pakistan managed to win just four out of five games including their first-ever ODI loss to Afghanistan. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shan Masood are considered frontrunners for the role in the red-ball format. In the other formats, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan have been considered as their successors.
Pakistan's tour of Australia will begin with a warm-up match against Prime Ministers XI starting December 6. The Test series will kick off on December 14 at Perth Stadium. The last Test of the series will be played in Sydney starting January 3, 2024.
In the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle, Pakistan are on top with two wins from two games on Sri Lanka soil earlier this year. The three-Test series against the defending champions will be crucial.
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