Major Shake-Up in PCB Selection Committee: Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq Removed; Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sikandar Bakht Inducted

Lahore:In a significant restructuring move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed former Test cricketers **Azhar Ali** and **Asad Shafiq** from the national selection committee. The board has brought in 2017 Champions Trophy-winning captain **Sarfaraz Ahmed** and well-known cricket analyst **Sikandar Bakht** as new members of the selection panel.

According to media reports, Sarfaraz, currently in England, attended recent selection meetings via video link, while Sikandar Bakht was quietly flown to Lahore to participate in person. The duo has now been present in two consecutive committee meetings, indicating their growing influence, even though PCB has yet to issue an official notification regarding their appointments.

The most recent meeting, which included Head Coach **Mike Hesson**, T20 captain **Salman Ali Agha**, and selectors **Aaqib Javed** and **Aleem Dar**, finalized squads for the upcoming **T20I series against Bangladesh in July** and the **West Indies tour in the U.S.**.

Sources within PCB confirmed that **Asad Shafiq** will now focus on his responsibilities at the **Karachi High Performance Center** and the **Women’s Selection Committee**, while **Azhar Ali** has been reassigned to oversee **Youth Development Programs**.

Sarfaraz Ahmed is reportedly being considered for even greater roles due to his game awareness, leadership experience, and the respect he commands among players. He is also said to have shown interest in working closely with PCB after his retirement.

**Sikandar Bakht**, a former cricketer and sharp PCB critic, has returned to official PCB duties after nearly two decades. He last served as a team analyst in 2003 and is now viewed as a close adviser to PCB Chairman **Mohsin Naqvi**.

PCB officials, when contacted, confirmed that formal announcements will be made once office operations resume. Chairman Naqvi is expected to address the media and provide clarity on the roles of Sarfaraz and Sikandar.