Former cricketing legend Mohammad Yousuf has announced that he is stepping down from his position on Pakistan’s cricket selection committee, citing “personal reasons” for his decision. The announcement came on Sunday, and it marks the end of Yousuf’s involvement in selecting the players for Pakistan’s national cricket team.
Earlier this year, in March, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced changes to the men’s national selection committee. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced a “reorganised” committee, consisting of seven members who all had equal authority. One major change was the removal of the position of committee chairman. Instead of having one person make the final decisions, the committee now works as a team, making decisions based on majority consensus. The goal of this change was to ensure that decisions were more balanced and led to better results for the team.
In July, the committee went through more changes after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup held in May. As a result of this poor performance, two members, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq, were dismissed from the committee. After their departure, the selection committee was reduced to four voting members and five non-voting members who were part of the committee in an advisory capacity.
Despite these changes, Mohammad Yousuf continued to play an important role in the selection process until his resignation. He announced his departure through a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). In his message, Yousuf expressed how much of an honor it had been for him to contribute to Pakistan’s cricket team. He wrote, “It has been a great privilege to contribute to the growth and success of Pakistan cricket.” He also shared his best wishes for the team, expressing confidence in their future success and commitment to pursuing excellence.
Yousuf’s departure from the selection committee is a notable development, especially considering his long-standing contribution to Pakistan cricket, both as a player and a mentor. He has been a key figure, not only because of his incredible achievements as a batsman but also due to his knowledge and experience that benefited the national team. His involvement in the selection process was seen as an effort to use his expertise to guide the next generation of cricketers.
While Yousuf has not shared specific details about his personal reasons for stepping down, he made it clear that he is proud of the work he did and believes in the potential of Pakistan’s cricket team. Many cricket fans are now hopeful that his departure will not negatively impact the national team, especially with several important series and tournaments on the horizon.
The PCB will now have to consider how to fill the gap left by Yousuf’s resignation. His experience and understanding of the game were seen as valuable assets for the committee. For the national cricket team, this change comes at a time when they are working to improve their performance and make a mark in international cricket after a few disappointing outings.
