The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) overhaul of its internal structure has continued with the announcement of a revamped Coaches Evaluation Committee, which will now be responsible for hiring new coaching staff across regional centres and academies. This move is part of broader changes to the PCB’s coaching framework, with several coaches appointed last year not receiving contract extensions.
According to local media reports, Director of High Performance Aaqib Javed will head the new committee, replacing Abdullah Khurram Niazi in the role. However, Khurram will remain on the panel and will now work alongside Pakistan men’s head coach Mike Hesson, Head of Coach Education Shahid Aslam, and General Manager of Academies Imran Abbas.
The new group replaces a previous panel that featured former Test captains Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, and Asad Shafiq.
Aaqib, who has already announced plans to revitalise the National Cricket Academy system in Lahore, Multan, and Karachi, will now oversee the hiring of coaches across the board. Hesson, meanwhile, will juggle his committee responsibilities with his primary role of preparing the national team for the upcoming series.
According to the PCB, the committee’s mandate includes shortlisting and interviewing coaching candidates, overseeing appointments, and ensuring that all hires align with the board’s long-term vision. The aim is to bring greater transparency, professionalism, and consistency to the coach selection and development process.
Khurram will also continue his role on another committee tasked with scrutinising over 4,000 cricket clubs across Pakistan as part of a wider domestic system review.
With the new appointments, the PCB hopes to put the right people in charge of developing the country’s emerging talent — an area many believe has been falling behind modern standards.
This latest reshuffle also highlights the board’s growing emphasis on performance-based appointments and signals a fresh start for Pakistan’s coaching framework at both national and grassroots levels.
