Reports: Former skipper Azhar Ali set to assume key chair in PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on the brink of a significant decision. Reports suggest that former team captain and Test stalwart Azhar Ali, one of the country's most accomplished batters, is likely to be handed a key role within the cricketing governing body.

According to Geo News, the 39-year-old is expected to be given responsibility for either the national selection committee or the high-performance centre. This move is largely advocated by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

If appointed as chief selector, Azhar would be tasked with picking the best squads across formats and nurturing the talent pipeline. The Lahore-born will have first-hand knowledge of the current crop of international and domestic players. Alternatively, heading up the high-performance centre would see him oversee the training and development pathways for elite cricketers.

There are also reports of the potential return of former team manager Rehan-ul-Haq to the national team. “Rehan-ul-Haq will soon take over his duties in the Pakistan team,” a source said.

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Azhar Ali retired from international cricket in 2022

Azhar Ali announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2022 after a distinguished 12-year international career. Making his debut in 2010 against Australia at the iconic Lord's Ground, Ali swiftly made his mark, notching his maiden Test half-century in only his second game.

He finished as one of Pakistan's leading run-scorers in the longest format, scoring 7,142 runs at an average of 42.26 including 19 centuries. His biggest achievement was scoring a triple century of 302* against West Indies in a day-night Test in 2016 becoming the first Pakistani to achieve the feat. His captaincy tenure spanned over nine Tests over two separate periods from 2016 to 2020.

The decision to integrate Azhar into the PCB management setup comes from newly-appointed chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is keen to utilize the vast experience of the former captain. The 39-year-old's understanding of the game from being a modern-day batting great, as well as his leadership qualities having captained Pakistan in Test cricket, makes him an ideal candidate for influential roles.

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