ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman, Najam Sethi, has unveiled the names of the members of the new selection committee for the national men’s side.
In an interview with BBC Urdu, Sethi announced that the selection committee would include Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed, Team Director Mickey Arthur, Head Coach Grant Bradburn, and Data Analyst Hassan Cheema. The appointments were confirmed by the PCB through a statement released on Sunday.
Among the members, Hassan Cheema currently serves as the strategy manager for Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United. Sethi expressed the board’s intention to incorporate data analysis in the selection process, highlighting Cheema’s expertise in this field.
Najam Sethi congratulates chief selector
Haroon Rasheed, a former cricketer, featured in 23 Tests and 12 ODIs from 1977 to 1983 and previously served as the chief selector in 2015-16. Sethi congratulated Rasheed and expressed confidence in his cricket knowledge and understanding, hoping that he would select squads for upcoming international assignments with expertise and a comprehensive approach.
Mickey Arthur, a part of the coaching staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the away tour to Australia, and the home series against the West Indies will also be present with the team for Pakistan’s matches against India in the ACC Asia Cup. During his tenure as head coach from 2016 to 2019, Arthur guided Pakistan to the No. 1 rankings in Tests and T20Is and played a crucial role in the team’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Grant Bradburn, who recently served as the head coach on a consultancy basis during Pakistan’s home series against New Zealand, has been appointed as the head coach of the national men’s side for a two-year period. The PCB confirmed Bradburn’s appointment on Saturday.
The first task of the selection committee is to name players for the upcoming fast and spin bowling camps in Lahore next month. The committee will focus on improving communication with players, providing clarity on selection decisions, and creating a clear pathway for player development.
The new selection committee, with its experienced members, aims to enhance the performance of the national team and ensure the selection of the best available players for a busy and high-profile year of cricket, which includes events such as the ACC Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
