Former Pakistan Captain Waqar Younis Accepts Advisory Role to PCB Chairman

Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis has accepted the role of advisor to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, as reported by Cricbuzz. Starting from August 1, Younis will directly report to Naqvi.

A veteran cricketer with 87 Tests and 262 ODIs from 1989 to 2003, the 52-year-old Younis has previously served as the team’s bowling and assistant coach. Despite his mixed coaching tenure, he is now tasked with overseeing the national red-ball and white-ball teams, as well as the national coaches. His role will also include monitoring the selection committee, which recently saw two members dismissed.

Key Responsibilities of Waqar Younis:

According to Cricbuzz, Waqar Younis will:

• Address any matters or assignments deemed appropriate by the PCB chairman that require his attention or expertise.
• Oversee matters related to domestic cricket, the high-performance center, and curators.

“The PCB believed there was a need for an experienced individual who understands the language of cricketers and is capable of making the right decisions, which is why Waqar was brought on board,” revealed a source close to the PCB.

Pakistan’s Upcoming International Schedule:

Pakistan’s next international series is against Bangladesh, with a two-Test series kicking off on August 21 in Rawalpindi. The team has a packed schedule until April 2025, facing Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies at home, and touring Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Babar Azam’s captaincy is reportedly under scrutiny following Pakistan’s disappointing group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, where they lost to the USA and India.

This strategic move to bring in Waqar Younis aims to allow the PCB chairman to concentrate on administrative, governance, infrastructure, and commercial matters, ensuring that cricketing decisions are made by someone deeply familiar with the game.