Mohsin Naqvi Aaqib Javed for Pakistan cricket. Image Credits: AFP
Former Pakistan selector Mohammad Wasim has made a startling reveal that current chief selector Aaqib Javed is set to be sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and a big name is set to replace him.
Wasim’s claim comes after Pakistan was embarrassed 0-3 by England in the recent Test series, with Pakistan crossing the 200-run mark in the last innings they played in the third Test in Birmingham, where they made 400-plus. Much of the responsibility was put onto the coaches, who were sent back before the Edgbaston Test and the chief selector Aaqib Javed.
Aaqib Javed to be replaced by a big name as new chief selector: Mohammad Wasim
Mohammad Wasim appeared on a YouTube podcast with Dr. Nauman Niaz as they were discussing the ongoings in the Pakistani men’s cricket team. Pakistan was white-washed by the England team in the three-Test series in the UK.
During their discussion, Wasim revealed that a new chief selector is coming, and Aaqib Javed, who is a favorite of the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, is likely to be kicked off from his position after the poor showing by the Pakistan team in the recent series.
While Mohammad Wasim didn’t name any particular player, despite being repeatedly asked by Dr. Nauman Niaz, he gave enough hints that the selector will have big power to take decisions. The new selector, as per Wasim, is a big name and has a good cricketing brain.
Wasim also name-dropped Lala, better known as Shahid Afridi, but didn’t confirm anything. He also stated that Mike Hesson will also be given more power as all-format coach of the Pakistan team.
Watch the video below:
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Jason Gillespie reveals the way Aaqib Javed operated as Pakistan chief selector
Aaqib Javed’s tenure as the Pakistan chief selector began in October 2024 and made sweeping changes in the way Pakistan teams were managed. Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has accused Javed of undermining his authority and reducing his role in the Pakistan team management.
"The appointment of Javed fundamentally altered the landscape. From that moment, my relationship with Pakistan cricket completely changed. Aaqib came in and took over. It appeared to me that he was in charge of absolutely everything. I went from looking after the Test side, managing that and looking after the players and the staff, and having a role in selection to then having absolutely no role in anything,” Gillespie told the Telegraph.
Gillespie also provided an insightful explanation of how Javed was able to function in this manner. Because of his strong relationship with the PCB chairman, which practically rendered him untouchable, he didn’t take ideas or opinions of other people constructively.
Pakistan team’s embarrassing performance and decisions by PCB
The Pakistan team had lost the first Test to England in Leeds by an innings and 103 runs. They then moved to Lord's, where the Babar Azam and Co. were defeated by 194 runs.
These performances led to a knee-jerk reaction from the Pakistan Cricket Board. PCB sacked seven players from the Pakistan squad, including Imam Ul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, and interestingly Salman Ali Agha, who had captained Pakistan in the first Test.
Apart from the seven players, Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, were also called back after the first two Tests.
In their places, Mike Hesson, the white-ball head coach of Pakistan team, was asked to take over the coaching duties for the third and final Test. Hesson has shown interest in taking over as Pakistan Test coach as well, along with white-ball responsibilities.
Also Read: After Imam, Rizwan, Another Cricketer Stopped From Playing Cricket in Pakistan
