PCB mandates fitness tests, domestic cricket participation as Gary Kirsten, Jason Gillespie join Pakistan selection committee

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a new selection committee after sacking Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq last week as the national selectors in the wake of the Pakistan Cricket Team’s consecutive group-stage exits in the World Cups.

Last year, the Men in Green failed to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, and later they crashed out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 from the group stages in the USA and West Indies, leading to a massive overhaul in the selection committee for the Pakistan cricket team.

Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie join the PCB Selection Committee

The PCB, headed by Mohsin Naqvi, has reportedly brought in Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, and red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie into the newly formed selection committee. Apart from the Pakistan coaches, former batter Asad Shafiq and former captain Mohammad Yousuf are also part of the national selection committee.

چئیرمین پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ محسن نقوی کے کرکٹ اور ٹیم کی کارکردگی کی بہتری کیلئے بڑے فیصلے

گیری کرسٹن اور جیسن گلیسپی بھی سلیکشن کمیٹی میں شامل

ہر کھلاڑی کا ہر 3 ماہ بعد فٹنس ٹیسٹ لازمی ہو گا

کھلاڑی کو لازما ڈومیسٹک کرکٹ کھیلنا ہوگی

ڈومیسٹک کرکٹ کھیلنے کے طریقہ کار کو… pic.twitter.com/M0jaRMFUxK

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) July 15, 2024

Meanwhile, the PCB has made pivotal decisions during a recent meeting, including the inclusion of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie in the selection committee. During the meeting, another major call was made, mandating fitness tests for players every three months and actively playing domestic cricket for players.

No cut in players' salary, but mandatory to play in domestic cricket: PCB

Despite massive discussions regarding the player contracts, the PCB decided not to reduce salaries for the upcoming year-long term at present, with central contracts subject to annual review based on performance and fitness levels. This call clearly showed the PCB's commitment to improving the national team’s performance and accountability within the national setup.

"Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi's big decisions for the improvement of cricket and team performance. Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie also joined the selection committee. Every player will have to undergo fitness test every 3 months. The player must play domestic cricket. The selection committee will finalize the procedure for playing domestic cricket. Decision not to reduce central contract amount for now. The duration of the central contract will be for one year.

"The contract will be reviewed annually based on player performance and stats. Inclusion of players in different categories of central contract will be done under the prescribed procedure. The technical procedure for issuing NOCs for playing leagues will be fixed NOCs will be issued to the players who fulfill the procedure. Players who meet the fitness and performance criteria will get a chance to come forward. There will be no place for players who do not meet the criteria. There will be no compromise on discipline," PCB said in an official media release.

Well, talking about the on-field actions, Pakistan will host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in August–September. But they are currently in the headlines for reportedly threatening to boycott the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 if India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.