Pakistan upheaval continues as Shahid Afridi becomes chief selector

Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum will make up a three-person committee for the New Zealand Test series in the latest change behind the scenes at the PCB

Shahid Afridi has been installed as Pakistan men's interim chief selector.

Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum will support him as part of a three-person panel.

Appointed initially purely for the New Zealand Tests, their first task is to review the squad selected for the series by predecessor Mohammad Wasim, who was removed on Friday (December 23).

"We need to get back to our winning ways and I have no doubts that through meritocratic and strategic selection decisions, we will help the national side to perform strongly in the series against New Zealand and reclaim the confidence of our fans," said Afridi, who played 27 Tests, 398 one-day internationals and 99 T20Is.

^{Razzq and Afridi are reunited on the selection panel (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/GettyImages)}

"I will soon convene a meeting of the selectors and will share my plans with reference to the upcoming matches."

It is the latest move amid a period of upheaval behind the scenes at the PCB. On Wednesday, just days after England became the first Test nation to clinch a whitewash in Pakistan, Ramiz Raja and his board was removed by the government.

A new management committee - which Afridi and Sana Mir had originally turned down joining has dismantled all committees formed under the 2019 constitution, which has included the removal of Wasim.

^{Iftikhar, who played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20s, will also have a say (Paul Kane/Getty Images)}

New management committee chair Najam Sethi said: "Shahid Afridi has been an attacking cricketer who played all his cricket with no fear. 

"He has nearly 20 years of cricket experience, has featured in all formats with significant success and more importantly, has always backed and supported young talent.

"So, in our collective opinion, there is no better person than him to understand the rigours, demands and challenges of the modern-day game. 

"I remain confident that through his insight and knowledge of the game, he will help Pakistan select the best and most deserving players, and contribute in the side's success in the upcoming series."

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