ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB shocks cricket world with Wahab Riaz’s comeback in dual role

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) never misses a chance to surprise the cricket world, as they continue to make changes in the team management and the coaching set-up, with now another well-known face coming on the board on Sunday (November 17).

Actually, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brought back the once-expelled Wahab Riaz back into the Pakistan cricket set-up. Wahab Riaz was removed from the post of chief selector by Pakistan’s cricket selection committee on 11 July 2024 after the Men in Green’s poor performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Wahab Riaz takes on the dual role as supervisor and mentor for the Champions Trophy 2025

Notably, the Pakistan team had returned home after the group stages of the event. Riaz was initially appointed as the Pakistan chief selector ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The former Pakistan pacer had also worked as the Pakistan cricket team manager before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a complete overhaul in the management.

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Now, in a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Wahab Riaz as the supervisor for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home. Additionally, Riaz will also be the mentor for the Pakistan cricket team in next year’s showpiece event ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Wahab Riaz enjoyed notable success as a Pakistan pacer

Speaking about Wahab Riaz’s career, the former Pakistan pacer retired from international cricket in August 2023 after representing the country at the highest level for more than a decade. Riaz had made his international debut against Zimbabwe in February 2008 and represented Pakistan in 27 Test matches, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is.

Riaz has 83 wickets in Tests, 120 in ODIs, and 34 in T20Is to his name in international cricket. Following his removal from the selection committee, Riaz had slammed the PCB by saying that “there is a lot I can say, but I don't want to be part of the blame games.” Despite the online fury, the PCB went ahead and brought him back into the leadership role.

Mohammad Yousuf's role under scrutiny, as PCB set to make key changes

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently reviewing its coaching and management structure, as they are focusing on making improvements ahead of the much-awaited Champions Trophy 2025. As part of this reassessment, Mohammad Yousuf, who serves as the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is reportedly under scrutiny.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering potential changes to Mohammad Yousuf’s role as part of its broader evaluation process with his axing on the radar. Recently, the PCB has also confirmed that Jason Gillespie will continue as Pakistan’s Test head coach, but his future beyond the upcoming Test series against South Africa is not certain, with Aaqib Javed set to reportedly take over as all-format coach.

Notably, the Pakistan team is currently playing a T20I series in Australia, and then they will travel to Zimbabwe for the white-ball series. The Men in Green will play three ODIs and three T20Is on their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, starting on November 24 with the first ODI in Harare.