Mohammad Yousuf steps down from PCB selection committee citing 'personal reasons'

The Pakistan men's selection committee has undergone further changes as Mohammad Yousuf has decided to resign from his position. Yousuf, one of the five voting members on the committee, cited "personal reasons" for his decision in a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

"Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan cricket," Yousuf said. "I have immense faith in the talent and spirit of our players, and wish our team all the best as they continue to strive for greatness."

Shortly after, a PCB statement thanked Yousuf for his services, saying he had "voluntarily stepped down…to focus on other key responsibilities within the cricket board". Yousuf remains a batting coach at the PCB's National High Performance Centre.

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Wahab and Razzaq sacked from PCB selection committee

Comings and goings in Pakistan's selectorial setup are not new but it has become especially volatile over the past few months. Wahab Riaz was appointed chief selector late last year, overseeing series defeats against Australia and New Zealand, and a dramatic row with Haris Rauf that saw the fast bowler's central contract ripped up and then restored a few weeks later.

In March, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced a new selection committee with seven members and no chief selector. But after Pakistan's disastrous first-round exit at the T20 World Cup in June, Wahab and Abdul Razzaq were sacked by the PCB and not replaced, whittling the committee's voting members down to the captains and coaches, and Asad Shafiq and Yousuf. Yousuf's departure, with no word on whether he will be replaced, means Shafiq is the only voting member outside of the captains and coaches still part of the selection committee.

The committee's next task will involve the announcement of the squad for the remainder of Pakistan's Test series against England, having made public the squad for the first Test in Multan, which begins on October 7.