By Waqar Younis is poised to take on a significant role with Pakistan Cricket, stepping in as the board’s cricketing supremo.
Waqar recently met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore to finalize the appointment, though some details remain unresolved. Initially, Waqar will serve as a consultant and advisor to the chairman of cricket affairs, but his title may change if the appointment becomes permanent. The envisioned role is akin to that of Robert Key, the managing director at the ECB.
A board official mentioned that Naqvi is keen to appoint a former cricketer to oversee all cricketing matters, including selection, high performance, and pathways, allowing the chairman to focus on board operations. Naqvi, also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has a demanding schedule. Following Ramiz Raja’s departure and the reinstatement of the old constitution, the CEO role was eliminated, making it crucial to have a cricketing head in place before a busy season for the Pakistan men’s team.
The upcoming schedule includes a two-Test series against Bangladesh in August, three Tests against England in October, two Tests in South Africa over Christmas and New Year’s, a home Test series with West Indies, a triangular ODI series with South Africa and New Zealand, the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, and an eight-match white-ball series in New Zealand in March 2025.
Additionally, the domestic calendar has expanded with three new tournaments, one for each format, alongside the PSL.
Waqar Younis has previously served as bowling or assistant coach across three stints with the Pakistan team and as head coach twice, with his last assignment as bowling coach under Misbah-ul-Haq after the 2019 World Cup. This new role, however, marks his first time overseeing such a broad range of responsibilities, including balancing Pakistan’s international commitments with the demand for their players in various T20 leagues worldwide.
