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selection committee

Shahid Afridi criticizes selection committee after Bangladesh series loss

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Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has sharply criticized the national selection committee following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup and a 1-2 series defeat against Bangladesh.

In a statement shared on X, Afridi expressed concerns that the selection committee members, despite having played extensive cricket themselves, lack understanding of which players are suited to captain specific formats.

He highlighted that senior cricketers were dropped from the squad based on T20 performances, even in the one-day format. Afridi also criticized the inclusion of young players under the pretext of “surgery,” stating that leadership decisions appear to be made by the committee rather than the team itself.

Afridi further argued that some of the selected youngsters have played only a few first-class matches, and Pakistan’s domestic cricket standards are not consistently producing players ready to immediately join the national squad.

These comments came shortly after Pakistan’s recent defeat to Bangladesh in the one-day series, underlining Afridi’s call for more strategic and experience-based selection policies.

Aleem Dar resigns from selection committee after T20 World Cup Exit

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Aleem Dar resigns

KARACHI: Following Pakistan’s worst-ever performance in the Super Four stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the team’s early exit from the tournament, national selection committee member Aleem Dar has decided to resign.

According to highly reliable sources, the ICC Elite Panel umpire stepped down over what he described as extraordinary interference in selection matters by head coach Mike Hesson, along with the silence of influential selection committee member Aaqib Javed.

Aleem Dar reportedly complained that selectors had initially announced Pakistan’s best 20 players, but the captain and coach later finalized what he termed the “wrong 15,” followed by questionable choices in the playing XI. As a result, he believed selectors were left to face public criticism for decisions they did not fully control.

During the tournament, Dar had raised reservations over the inclusion of former captain Babar Azam and all-rounder Shadab Khan, citing their lack of recent performance. He also expressed concerns over captain Salman Ali Agha, claiming he did not merit a place in the squad as captain. According to sources, coach Hesson had the final authority in selection matters.

Dar had further proposed that experienced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan be played at number six instead of Usman Khan. He argued that if underperforming players were being given opportunities, Rizwan also deserved another chance.

In the current circumstances, Aleem Dar’s resignation is being viewed as a principled stand. Sources say he believes cricket has brought him immense respect and that he does not wish to serve as a mere figurehead, making it preferable for him to step down.