The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a new selection committee after sacking Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq last week as national selectors in the wake of Pakistan’s consecutive group stage exits at World Cups.
Last year, the Men in Green failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India and then crashed out of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup at the group stages in the United States and West Indies, prompting a massive overhaul by the Pakistan cricket team selection committee.
Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie join PCB Selection Committee
The Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB has reportedly inducted Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten and red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie into the newly formed selection committee. Apart from the Pakistani coaches, former batsman Asad Shafiq and former captain Mohammad Yousuf are also part of the national selection committee.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s big decisions to improve cricket and team performance
Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie also joined the selection committee.
Each player must undergo a physical examination every 3 months.
The player must play domestic cricket.
How to play domestic cricket… pic.twitter.com/M0jaRMFUxK
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) July 15, 2024
Meanwhile, the PCB has taken key decisions during a recent meeting, including the inclusion of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie in the selection committee. During the meeting, another important decision was taken: players will be required to undergo fitness tests every three months and actively play domestic cricket.
There will be no pay cuts for players, but it is mandatory to play in domestic cricket: PCB
Despite intense discussions over player contracts, the PCB decided not to reduce salaries for the coming year for the time being, and central contracts will be subject to an annual review based on performance and fitness levels. This decision clearly demonstrated the PCB’s commitment to improving the performance of the national team and accountability within the national structure.
“Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s big decisions to improve the performance of cricket and the team. Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie also joined the selection committee. All players will have to undergo fitness test every 3 months. The player must play domestic cricket. The selection committee will finalize the procedure to play domestic cricket. Decision not to reduce the amount of central contract for now. The duration of central contract will be one year.
“The contract will be reviewed annually based on the performance and statistics of the players. Inclusion of players in different categories of the central contract will be done as per the prescribed procedure. The technical procedure for issuing NOC certificates for playing in the leagues will be fixed. NOC certificates will be issued to players who comply with the procedure. Players who meet the fitness and performance criteria will be given an opportunity to appear. There will be no place for players who do not meet the criteria. No concessions will be made in the matter of discipline,” PCB said in an official press release.
Well, talking about the on-field actions, Pakistan will host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in August and September. But they are currently in the headlines for having threatened to boycott the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 if India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
