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Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi plans major shake-up, including changes to the national selection committee.
Aaqib Javed (left) and Wahab Riaz (AFP Photo)
As Pakistani men and women cricket teams continue to disappoint at international level, their cricket board is reportedly preparing for significant changes across its setup, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi expected to make a series of decisions in the coming days.
Among the moves being considered by the Pakistan Cricket Board as part of the revamp of the national selection committee, former fast bowler Aaqib Javed may be removed from his role as senior selector. Wahab Riaz, another former Test player who has served as a mentor to the national women’s team since last year, is also expected to leave along with the coaching staff following the Asian Games in Japan.
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“Even Mohsin Naqvi has now realised that some radical measures are required to end the losing streak and abrupt happenings in Pakistan cricket. So these changes are now on the cards,” an internal source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Aaqib has played a central role in several key PCB decisions over the past two years. His involvement included the major overhaul of Pakistan’s team and coaching staff during the England tour following the second Test, a move that attracted considerable controversy. The former Test bowler has subsequently come under widespread criticism amid a period of instability in Pakistan cricket, marked by repeated changes in leadership and coaching personnel.
The PCB is also weighing its options after white-ball head coach Mike Hesson indicated that he would be prepared to assume responsibility for the Test side. However, Hesson has stressed that rebuilding Pakistan’s red-ball setup would require sufficient time.
According to the source, Hesson would only agree to take over the Test team if he received a defined period to implement his plans and a guarantee that his decision-making would remain free from interference.
Meanwhile, the PCB is in talks with several overseas coaches regarding the women’s team head coach position after the Asian Games.
Naqvi is expected to convene a high-level meeting with his close aides and consult members of the governing board before the PCB formally approves any changes.
The pressure on the board has intensified following Pakistan’s recent Test results. The team drew its series in the West Indies 1-1 before suffering a 3-0 defeat in England, with the scale of the losses prompting renewed questions over the PCB’s cricketing strategy and the officials responsible for carrying it out.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s federal interior minister, was in Dubai on Sunday night to attend the Asia Cup women’s final. The event was overshadowed by another controversy after India did not receive the winners’ trophy from him.
The incident mirrored what happened at the 2025 men’s Asia Cup final in Dubai, when the Indian team likewise did not collect the trophy from Naqvi.
With PTI Inputs
Quick Answers
Ask News18The PCB is considering removing Aaqib Javed due to widespread criticism over his controversial decisions and a period of instability in Pakistan cricket. Javed played a central role in a major, highly criticized overhaul of the team and coaching staff during the England tour after the second Test. This decision, which included sending home seven players and replacing coaches midway through the tour, was widely condemned as a panic reaction.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
September 15, 2026, 09:29 IST
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