Waqar Younis joins PCB as advisor to chairman

WEB DESK: Waqar Younis has been named Advisor to the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), media reports said on Wednesday.

Insiders within the PCB have revealed that the legendary fast bowler will oversee cricket operations for the board. According to Cricbuzz, Waqar has accepted the position and is expected to commence his duties on August 1. He will report directly to Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the PCB.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to delegate powers to Waqar Younis

At 52, Waqar brings a wealth of experience as a former captain and coach of Pakistan, with 87 Tests and 262 ODIs to his name. His new role will involve a broad range of responsibilities, primarily overseeing the national teams and their coaching staff. Both the red-ball and white-ball teams, along with their respective coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, will report directly to him. Additionally, he will liaise with the selection committee, which has recently faced criticism.

The PCB recently removed selectors Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee. The primary reason for their dismissal was the controversy surrounding the team selection for the recent T20 World Cup, where Pakistan failed to progress to the knockout stage after a loss to the USA.

Cricbuzz reported that the selectors were accused of promoting and selecting certain players despite objections from other committee members.

Waqar’s role will also encompass addressing any other matters or tasks assigned by the PCB Chairman that require his expertise. Initially hired as a consultant, it is expected that his position will become permanent in the future.

The PCB is looking to Waqar to fulfil duties similar to those of Rob Key, the Managing Director of the men’s team for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Waqar’s appointment comes at a critical time for Pakistan cricket, which is facing public dissatisfaction over the team’s World Cup performance. Notably, he is the first international cricketer to be given such significant responsibilities since Zakir Khan’s departure from the board.

Waqar may also oversee domestic cricket, the high-performance centre, coaches, and curators. He is expected to be involved in planning, strategising, and game development. One of the motivations behind his appointment is to relieve the chairman of critical cricketing matters, allowing him to focus on governance, infrastructure, administration, commercial agreements, and the future of cricket.

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The Pakistan cricket season kicks off in August and runs continuously until the Champions Trophy, followed by a tour to New Zealand. The PCB Chairman felt that a strong candidate with international cricket experience was essential. “The PCB believed there was a need for an experienced individual who understands the language of cricketers and is capable of making the right decisions, which is why Waqar was brought on board,” a source quoted by Cricbuzz said.