PCB Reportedly Finalises the Members of New Selection Committee

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided on the names of professionals who will be part of its new selection committee. The change was expected as part of PCB’s broader efforts to revamp its cricketing structures.

According to CricWick, former Test stalwarts Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq will be axed from the panel in favour of ex-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and cricket analyst Sikandar Bakht, with Aaqib Javed, Hasan Cheema, and Aleem Dar staying on. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson was also part of the panel that selected the team for the Bangladesh series and is expected to continue with the assignment.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq’s exit comes at a time when Pakistan cricket is undergoing a period of recalibration, with an eye toward youth development and a more aggressive brand of cricket, especially in the limited-overs formats.

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s inclusion is perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of this reshuffle. Once sidelined as a player in all three formats, the former captain now returns in a selection capacity, adding a strong player’s perspective to the process after serving as a team mentor recently.

Sikandar Bakht’s entry may raise some eyebrows as he has not held any official roles within the PCB for almost two decades. Known for his candid views and analytical breakdowns in television appearances, Bakht does possess vision as a former cricketer himself.

As of now, the PCB has not officially updated its website to reflect the new selection committee composition, but announcements are expected before the squad is finalized for the upcoming Bangladesh T20I series.

Sarfaraz and Sikandar Bakht’s impact on the selection policy will become clearer in the weeks to come, but for now, the PCB seems to be signaling a move away from conservatism and toward a more adaptive, proactive selection model—one that matches the evolving demands of modern international cricket.