Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed Join Pakistan Cricket Selection Panel

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has roped in Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the men’s selection committee. The decision to include both ex-cricketers was finalized following the departure of Aleem Dar from the selection panel.

The updated selection committee can be found on the official PCB website, where a four-member panel including Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Aqib Javed, and Asad Shafiq is listed.

The decision to include Misbah and Sarfaraz in the selection panel has been lauded by many cricket fans, as both former players have plenty of experience playing for Pakistan. They fully understand the requirements of the team, which is why their opinions in selecting players could prove vital for the national side.

The departure of Aleem Dar from the panel of selectors came after a brief stint, having joined on October 11, 2024. He reportedly left the position due to internal disagreements, with some sources claiming that the former umpire was unhappy with the team selections.

Dar was also reportedly disappointed with the way selection meetings were conducted, as he often felt sidelined during those sessions.

As per some sources, it was also claimed that Aleem Dar wasn’t happy with the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Usman Khan in the T20 World Cup squad. He felt these players haven’t showcased strong form, so selecting them for the mega event isn’t the right choice.

Reportedly, Aleem Dar showcased strong backing for Mohammad Rizwan during the selection meetings, however, his opinions weren’t considered by the panel. He was of the view that if management is backing out of form players, then Rizwan also deserves a place in the team because he has loads of international cricket experience. These disagreements eventually led Dar to leave the panel, as he no longer wanted to continue his role in such capacity.