Rauf reinstated as Pakistan commence planning for T20 World Cup

Star quick Haris Rauf has had his central playing contract reinstated as Pakistan announce a new selection committee ahead of June’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Pakistan chair Mohsin Naqvi fronted a press conference in Lahore and he discussed a range of issues that the Asian side are attempting to finalise ahead of the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.

The Pakistan pacer had his playing contract terminated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this year following his decision to pull out of the side’s three-match Test tour of Australia over the Christmas and New Year period.

But Naqvi has admitted the PCB made a mistake by doing this and have reinstated Rauf’s contract with immediate effect as the fast bowler continues his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury he picked up during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“There was a misunderstanding, and an incorrect decision was taken. His contract has been restored,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi also revealed Pakistan would use a new seven-person selection committee going forward that consisted of a quartet of former players, with each person having an equal say in selection matters and no selection chair required.

The new committee consists of former players Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq and the quartet will eventually be joined by the new head coach, the captain and a data analyst.

Finding a new head coach is near the top of Pakistan’s most urgent agenda items, but Naqvi did not want to speculate who may be at the top of their wish list for this crucial position.

Former batter Mohammad Hafeez filled in admirably during Pakistan’s recent tour of Australia and New Zealand and Naqvi is hoping to find a suitably qualified coach to take the top job soon.

Naqvi also hinted at the possibility of Pakistan having a new captain for the T20 World Cup, with pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi no certainty to remain in the job despite only being in charge for less than six months.

Afridi took over from Babar Azam following Pakistan’s disappointing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign towards the end of last year, with Naqvi indicating that a decision on Shaheen’s future as skipper will be made following the fitness camp that commences this week.

Pakistan also revealed the names of the 29 players that will get together for a fitness camp in Kakul, ahead of their upcoming home T20I series with New Zealand and June’s T20 World Cup.

The camp will run from 26 March to 8 April and will ‘focus on team building and aims to enhance the physical and mental strength of the players, ensuring they are in the best condition to face the challenges ahead’.

Pakistan players attending fitness camp: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Irfan Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan