Rauf reinstated as Pakistan commence planning for T20 World Cup
Star quick Haris Rauf has had his central playing contract reinstated as Pakistan announce a new selection committee ahead of June's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Pakistan chair Mohsin Naqvi fronted a press conference in Lahore on Sunday and he discussed a range of issues that the Asian side are attempting to finalise ahead of the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.
Rauf wins back playing contract
The Pakistan pacer had his playing contract terminated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this year following his decision to pull out of the side's three-match Test tour of Australia over the Christmas and New Year period.
But Naqvi has admitted the PCB made a mistake by doing this and have reinstated Rauf's contract with immediate effect as the fast bowler continues his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury he picked up during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL).
"There was a misunderstanding, and an incorrect decision was taken. His contract has been restored," Naqvi said.
"I was worried about him because he's injured, and there were concerns about who would facilitate his treatment. We will now have insurance cover that because he's our star player, and it's important to take care of him."
New selection committee tasked with choosing 15-player squad for T20 World Cup
Naqvi also revealed Pakistan would use a new seven-person selection committee going forward that consisted of a quartet of former players, with each person having an equal say in selection matters and no selection chair required.
The new committee consists of former players Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq and the quartet will eventually be joined by the new head coach, the captain and a data analyst.
“We have reorganised the selection committee," Naqvi said.
"It will comprise seven members, and each will have equal power. There will be no Chief Selector so that there can be healthier debate.
"Each of the member selected to be part of the committee have been thoroughly deliberated upon. Four former players, the captain and head coach will also be part of the committee. A data analyst will also sit on the committee. There will be coordinators too, but they will not have voting power.”
New head coach now the priority
Finding a new head coach is near the top of Pakistan's most urgent agenda items, but Naqvi did not want to speculate who may be at the top of their wish list for this crucial position.
Former batter Mohammad Hafeez filled in admirably during Pakistan's recent tour of Australia and New Zealand and Naqvi is hoping to find a suitably qualified coach to take the top job soon.
"There's no point speculating in advance about our coaching pursuits because the media can blow things out of proportion," Naqvi said.
"We will make sure we get a dream team of a coaching panel, with a combination of foreign and Pakistani coaches."
Who will captain Pakistan at T20 World Cup?
Naqvi also hinted at the possibility of Pakistan having a new captain for the T20 World Cup, with pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi no certainty to remain in the job despite only being in charge for less than six months.
Afridi took over from Babar Azam following Pakistan's disappointing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup campaign towards the end of last year, with Naqvi indicating that a decision on Shaheen’s future as skipper will be made following the fitness camp that commences this week.
“The matter of captaincy is being deliberated upon. I believe that the captain is the selection committee’s prerogative. They are working on it and I am sure they will finalise their decision after the camp is completed," Naqvi said.
"But once the captain is finalised – whether it is Shaheen Shah Afridi or someone else – we will stick by him for a long time. No matter what the results are on the field, the selection committee will be held accountable. If the captain does not have a say in the team, you cannot hold him accountable as he leads the team. Same with the head coach, because he has to run the dressing room.”
Names revealed for Kakul camp
Pakistan revealed the names of the 29 players that will get together for a fitness camp in Kakul, ahead of their upcoming home T20I series with New Zealand and June's T20 World Cup.
The camp will run from March 26 to April 8 and will 'focus on team building and aims to enhance the physical and mental strength of the players, ensuring they are in the best condition to face the challenges ahead'.
Pakistan players attending fitness camp: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Irfan Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan
Retirement reversals mean more competition for spots at T20 World Cup
While the likes of Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Babar and Shaheen appear certainties to feature in Pakistan's squad at the T20 World Cup, Rauf's contract reinstatement and the recent retirement reversals of experienced players Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir means there is greater competition for spots in their final 15-player group for the 20-over showcase.
Naqvi welcomed the news of Imad's decision to come out of retirement for the T20 World Cup and suggested his priority is to help Pakistan pick the strongest squad possible for the tournament.
“Our focus right now is the World Cup and his inclusion makes the team stronger. We have not discussed NOCs (No Objection Certificates for foreign T20 league participation) with him but we want him to play for the country. It will be the same for the rest of players," he said.
"As for Haris Rauf, there was some misunderstanding. His contract has been reinstated and we are currently working on his injury. He is our star player and we have to look after him."