Pakistan is set to host a full event of the ICC for the first time since 1997, with the country gearing up to welcome the world for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February. Pakistan has made great preparations within the country by upgrading stadiums and focusing more than usual on security. With the hype rising, the ICC is yet to fully confirm the schedule for the highly-awaited event.
PCB Appoints Wahab Riaz As Champions Trophy Supervisor
A huge boost for the Pakistan Cricket Board comes in the form of former Pakistan pace bowler Wahab Riaz appointed as supervisor for the next edition of the Champions Trophy for them. More than that, Riaz will be the mentor for the national side in the showpiece tournament. This will come as a comeback to the leadership position for the 39-year-old, who had worked as the team manager before the PCB went in for a management overhaul.
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Wahab Riaz’s Stint With Pakistan Cricket
Riaz has had a spotty career in PCB, from chief selector a year before the 2023 ODI World Cup. He did not take Pakistan beyond the group stage as Pakistan got knocked out of the tournament, and this resulted in major changes in the selection committee. The same trend followed when the team failed to get beyond the group stages of the T20 World Cup 2024 and ultimately led to his removal as the chief selector.
Mohammad Yousuf’s Position Under Scrutiny
The PCB still analyzes the coaching and management system. Mohammad Yousuf, the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has come under questioning as the board looks to reassess ahead of the Champions Trophy and a possible change in his role.
Legacy Of Wahab Riaz
It was February 2008 when Riaz made his international debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe. He became one of the most respected pacers to emerge from the country he appeared in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is and accumulated 83 Test wickets, 120 One Day International wickets, and 34 T20I wickets. The most memorable performance was his against Australian batter Shane Watson during the 2015 ODI World Cup. That now is one of the iconic moments in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
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Riaz announced his international retirement on 16 August, 2023, which marked a decade of service to Pakistan. He would leave behind a legacy of fiery bowling and trying performances on the world stage.
