Cricket

Pakistani cricket is reeling from a historic Test defeat against England in Multan, marking the first time a team has lost a Test by an innings and 47 runs after scoring 500 or more in the first innings. Amidst this crisis, national selector and former Test player Asad Shafiq has been participating in a T10 league in the USA.Shafiq's absence from the selection process has raised eyebrows, especially considering the team's recent struggles. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that Shafiq has been involved in all selection matters online from Dallas, where he has been playing since October 4.The PCB's decision to allow Shafiq to participate in the T10 league has been met with criticism, with many questioning the timing of his absence. Pakistan has also suffered a 0-2 loss to Bangladesh at home, further deepening the crisis.In response to the criticism, the PCB has added former players Azhar Ali and Aaqib Javed, as well as umpire Aleem Dar, to the national selection committee. Former skipper Misbah ul Haq also faced criticism last month for traveling to the USA for a charity event while mentoring a side in the domestic Champions Cup.The PCB's handling of the national team's crisis has come under scrutiny, with many calling for a change in leadership. The board has defended its decisions, stating that it is committed to improving the team's performance.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a revamped selection committee for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh, retaining former players Muhammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq. The decision follows a recent reorganization within the PCB's selection panel.Yousuf and Shafiq were part of the previous selection committee that picked the T20 World Cup squad. Despite the team's disappointing performance in the tournament, the PCB has opted to retain their services. Yousuf, who also served as the batting coach, and Shafiq will continue to play key roles in the selection process.The new selection committee will include the captains and head coaches of the red and white-ball teams, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the team's needs. All members, including Yousuf and Shafiq, will have voting rights and decision-making authority.To enhance the committee's expertise, the PCB has also included non-voting members such as assistant team coach Azhar Mahmood and four PCB board members/employees. These individuals will provide valuable insights and support the selection process.The restructured committee is tasked with selecting the squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. The matches are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi from August 21-25 and in Karachi from August 30-September 3.The PCB's decision to retain Yousuf and Shafiq in the selection committee reflects their experience and knowledge of the game. The committee's diverse composition, with both voting and non-voting members, is expected to foster a collaborative and informed selection process.