Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis appointed advisor to PCB chief

Waqar Younis has been named as an advisor to the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to PCB insiders, the renowned fast bowler will oversee cricket operations for the board. Cricbuzz reports that Waqar has accepted the position and is expected to start his duties on August 1. 

At 52, Waqar is a former Pakistan captain and coach with 87 Tests and 262 ODIs to his name. He has been tasked with a range of responsibilities, primarily focusing on the national teams and their coaching staff. He will manage both the red-ball and white-ball squads, with coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie reporting to him. Furthermore, Waqar will coordinate with the selection committee, which has recently come under scrutiny.

The selection committee recently saw the removal of two selectors, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq, by the PCB chairman.

This decision was influenced by controversies surrounding the selection process for the Pakistan team in the recent T20 World Cup, where the team failed to progress past the group stage after losing to the USA. Notably, there were allegations of "promoting and selecting certain players despite objections from other members."

In addition to his primary responsibilities, Waqar "will also handle any other tasks or projects assigned by the PCB chairman that require his expertise," as sources have indicated. Initially, Waqar is being brought on as a consultant, but there are plans to make his role permanent in the future.

Waqar's appointment comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan cricket, following public dissatisfaction with the team's recent World Cup performance. Notably, he is the first international cricketer to take on a significant role in the board since Zakir Khan's departure