[Report] Regional coaches will not have any role in the national team’s selection : Ramiz Raja

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s chairman Ramiz Raja told all six regional coaches about upcoming possible changes in the current set-up, sources told ARY News.

The PCB chairman met all six coaches online where they discussed a roadmap moving forward. Ramiz told coaches that performance will be the only way to stay in the PCB.

“You have to show your performance in order to stay here. You have a free hand to show your strength,” he told.

“PCB will soon come up with its selection policy. You will not have any role in the national team’s selection in the near future. Things will be clarified in due course,” he maintained.

ARY

 

[Savak]

A lot of people have been surprised. People were expecting the smiling laughing friendly Ramiz they knew as the commentator and expert but he has been a very hard, tough talking CEO which has rubbed everyone badly.

 

[Rana]

The PCB chairman change feels more radical than the Taliban recapturing Kabul!

 

[Major]

Oh man, another idiotic change by the uninformed commentator

 

[Bewal Express]

Oh man, another idiotic change by the uninformed commentator

Regional coaches shouldn't be selectors they should be talent spotters. How many selectors do you want?

 

[Titan24]

He is just going with a traditional approach of selection committees which is still followed in all other test playing countries if I am not wrong.

I liked the idea of involving domestic coaches but, naturally there can be conflict of interests and more that the selections left a lot to be desired.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

He is just going with a traditional approach of selection committees which is still followed in all other test playing countries if I am not wrong.

I liked the idea of involving domestic coaches but, naturally there can be conflict of interests and more that the selections left a lot to be desired.

What was the role of regional coaches in selection of national team so far? I have never heard something like this in India.

 

[Savak]

Most news reporters have complained about the selectors having bias, favorites. TBH selectors have a thankless job, too many sports reporters and ex players and even the fans have their own relationships, personal likes and dislikes vis a vis players, it is impossible to please everyone.

 

[Titan24]

What was the role of regional coaches in selection of national team so far? I have never heard something like this in India.

All the 6 regional head coaches formed the selection committee with the chief selector being in charge. This was an experiment which was done in 2019 with the new domestic structure and appointment of Misbah as chief selector cum coach. Chief selector’s position was taken away from Misbah but, the structure of rest of selection committee remained the same.

Now selection committee will be formed in the conventional manner with proper appointment of selectors like it was before 2019 and the way its done in other countries.

 

[wajid]

All the 6 regional head coaches formed the selection committee with the chief selector being in charge. This was an experiment which was done in 2019 with the new domestic structure and appointment of Misbah as chief selector cum coach. Chief selector’s position was taken away from Misbah but, the structure of rest of selection committee remained the same.

Now selection committee will be formed in the conventional manner with proper appointment of selectors like it was before 2019 and the way its done in other countries.

But our history is that selectors generally had no idea about domestic performances. At least in the current system this was taken care of. It also created a healthy competition. Now we may be back to our usual incompetency.

 

[UzmanBeast]

He is just going with a traditional approach of selection committees which is still followed in all other test playing countries if I am not wrong.

I liked the idea of involving domestic coaches but, naturally there can be conflict of interests and more that the selections left a lot to be desired.

I don't have an issue with domestic coaches short-listing players for the official selection panel (I assume he's going to make one).

Our domestic coaches are vermin by no insult to anyone in particular. The fact that Azam Khan is on our team speaks volumes about what these coaches prioritize: a few handshakes here, a little bit of cash there, and everyone's day is made. In the end, Pakistan Cricket is left to suffer.

A great decision by Ramiz Raja in my opinion; has really tackled all problems with an aggressive mindset.

Anyone who is a liability should leave the setup immediately.

Next would be to have a talk with Mohammad Wasim about his atrocious selections.

So far, I'm quite impressed with Ramiz's tenure.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Most news reporters have complained about the selectors having bias, favorites. TBH selectors have a thankless job, too many sports reporters and ex players and even the fans have their own relationships, personal likes and dislikes vis a vis players, it is impossible to please everyone.

No, it isn't.

It is impossible to defend idiotic selections of 200kg sumo slam wrestlers who have no fitness.

If there were less incompetent selections, this panel would still be here.

Their stupidity leaves only themselves to blame.

 

[Major]

Regional coaches shouldn't be selectors they should be talent spotters. How many selectors do you want?

You probably dont know what their role was.

Selection committee was made up of regional coaches, national coach, captain and chief selector. chief selector had final say, regional coaches gave their input on players who should be selected extra. All regions coaches were there so there was never a problem of biasness amongst regions.

The biggest problem in cricket was that selectors dont watch matches so the benefit of regional cosches being of the committee was they saw the matches.

 

[Major]

I dont know if people noticed but the selection coittee that was there they atleast gave proper recognition to sindh players.

In the past we barely saw players from sindh in national team

 

[Bewal Express]

You probably dont know what their role was.

Selection committee was made up of regional coaches, national coach, captain and chief selector. chief selector had final say, regional coaches gave their input on players who should be selected extra. All regions coaches were there so there was never a problem of biasness amongst regions.

The biggest problem in cricket was that selectors dont watch matches so the benefit of regional cosches being of the committee was they saw the matches.

Well the solution is to hire people that watch domestic cricket. No watch, no pay

 

[Major]

Well the solution is to hire people that watch domestic cricket. No watch, no pay

And the solution was already there. The coaches were doing just that......

Rameez raja decided to fix something which was not even wrecked. Infact he has wrecked it himself.


Members of selection comittee do not watch matches. We have seen this 100 times, every selector that came in the psst, those members did not watch matches they only relied upon tv matches or reputation of player or just selection table topers.

Anyways, one dumb decision after another. The pm has ruined our cricket by getting rameez raja elected for the spot.

 

[Snowflake]

Oh man, another idiotic change by the uninformed commentator

Nope - it was still the right decision to fire the non-performing duo!

You can't keep letting your frustration from that cloud every decision that RR takes! lol

 

[Snowflake]

And the solution was already there. The coaches were doing just that......

Rameez raja decided to fix something which was not even wrecked. Infact he has wrecked it himself.


Members of selection comittee do not watch matches. We have seen this 100 times, every selector that came in the psst, those members did not watch matches they only relied upon tv matches or reputation of player or just selection table topers.

Anyways, one dumb decision after another. The pm has ruined our cricket by getting rameez raja elected for the spot.

The PM did ruin our cricket, but not by appointing RR. But by appointing Mani and WK who brought in the ultimate failures in Misbah and Waqar

 

[Major]

Nope - it was still the right decision to fire the non-performing duo!

You can't keep letting your frustration from that cloud every decision that RR takes! lol

They served a purpose. Selectors in the panel from the past did not bother to go to matches. These people would go as coaches and give their input

Final selection is with the chief selector.

The next people that will now get added will be the ones who wont bother to go to matches, so for your claiming of non performing duo, you are going to get real nom performing duos.

Infact, pcb will have to give our a salary and package aswell for hotel and fueld codt to the selectors on the panel probably....

 

[Cricketrenew]

Regional selectors had influence in national team selection LOL.....???

I guess Fawad Alam.... didnt have the right friend for a long time.....

 

[unemployedgm]

The idea of selection is outdated.

 

[mon858]

Bad decision. Don't fix what ain't broke. Regional selectors provided best view of the top domestic ttalent. And equal voice for each regional team. At the most I would keep their role for talent hunt and maybe have a 2 member permanent selection committee that is taken all their inputs but abandoning the regional coaches is bad idea. They were doing fine. And if you want to transform things then bring in some coaching expertise like have Hayden work with domestic coaches on modern day batting approaches, etc and during season they can work those with their team.

 

[shariqnoor]

No, it isn't.

It is impossible to defend idiotic selections of 200kg sumo slam wrestlers who have no fitness.

If there were less incompetent selections, this panel would still be here.

Their stupidity leaves only themselves to blame.

Azam's fitness wouldn't be that big of a problem if he had the talent and skill level of Inzamam. You could then easily hide him as a WK. The problem arises because along with his fitness, he has the skill level of probably a number 10 batsman in an England lineup.

 

[PakLFC]

Ramiz is taking his "Rambo" nickname, literally! What you choose to call hell he calls home!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Oh man, another idiotic change by the uninformed commentator

That was the right move.. They should have no role in selecting the national squad... Totally biased regional coaches ,

 

[Usman]

Most news reporters have complained about the selectors having bias, favorites. TBH selectors have a thankless job, too many sports reporters and ex players and even the fans have their own relationships, personal likes and dislikes vis a vis players, it is impossible to please everyone.

Whilst it's true that no squad will satisfy everyone, our selectors often achieve the unique feat of satisfying no one. A blind bat could make better selection decisions.

 

[the Great Khan]

Disagree..raja is coming across as a complete idiot..

 

[mazkhan]

If the news is true that people like moin khan and aqib javed will be bought in then expect nepotism and favouritism.

One of the biggest nepotism selection is Moin khan and his son who is clearly unfit to even be a sportsman.

I very much doubt selections will be on merit if they were we would have haider and sharjeel in the t20 world Cup squad not asif ali and the leg side hack that is khusdhil.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Why pick a proven international failure like Asif ali. Pick Haider instead. What is the worse that could happen.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Why the heck were regional coaches involved in the first place? That doesn't even make any sense. How many people are making inputs regarding selection in Pakistan? National coaches, captain, regional coaches, political connections? It's ridiculous.

I can't think of any lower level setup being involved in who goes on the national team or not.

 

[moghul]

Regional coaches shouldn't be selectors they should be talent spotters. How many selectors do you want?

He is saying regional coaches should spot talent and that talented cricket should perform to get selected, performance will be the only way of getting selected ( unless he is Azam Khan ) , why is it so hard to understand .

 

[Savak]

I am not comfortable with Rameezs badtameez, rude, arrogant, I know better than you, I know best style of talking. Eventually even the most competent hard working people will move on from this demeaning environment

 

[ask_analyse_act]

He is saying regional coaches should spot talent and that talented cricket should perform to get selected, performance will be the only way of getting selected ( unless he is Azam Khan ) , why is it so hard to understand .

Indeed unless u r azam khan

His scores of last 10 innings is below


2
18
1
14
20
17
4
28
8
50

 

[Savak]

Lol, am hearing Basit Ali was expecting a smiling friendly laughing Ramiz and had called him Rambo to which Ramiz got really angry and ordered Basit Ali to be professional and to address him as PCB chairman.

He also chided Shahid Anwar for his overtly friendly attitude with the players and told him to not worry about friendships and to start being more ruthless and professional.

The provincial coaches are on borrowed time and will eventually be sent home. Rambo on an execution mission. IK must have really empowered him to do whatever he wanted

 

[Ami]

No, it isn't.

It is impossible to defend idiotic selections of 200kg sumo slam wrestlers who have no fitness.

If there were less incompetent selections, this panel would still be here.

Their stupidity leaves only themselves to blame.

Absolutely!

I miss Mickey Arthur, who always priortised fitness above all else.

The likes of Sharjeel and Azam should never be any where near 'regionals' let alone international set up.

Remember the days, when people would point out that Imad was over weight?

Try saying that now with Azam Khan, standing next to him, taking up most of the tv screen!

 

[Bewal Express]

He is saying regional coaches should spot talent and that talented cricket should perform to get selected, performance will be the only way of getting selected ( unless he is Azam Khan ) , why is it so hard to understand .

Which is also what I said.

 

[Rana]

Why is Balochistan such a neglected region?

This team/squad isn’t good enough to warrant a domestic side in the competition!

 

[MenInG]

According to reports, Ramiz has decided to sack the coaches of the six regional association sides. The PCB chief is considering to replace them with foreign coaches.

 

[Rana]

My God! This is like the Sith taking over the Jedi Temple

 

[Rana]

Ramiz Raja is clearly the Emperor Palpatine of Pakistan cricket history!

 

[Rana]

According to reports, Ramiz has decided to sack the coaches of the six regional association sides. The PCB chief is considering to replace them with foreign coaches.

I don’t understand Ramiz at all...

He wants to replace all regional coaches with Foreign coaches, but at the same time he wants Aqib Javed to be the head coach of Pakistan. The man is making no logical sense!

 

[Darkrai]

I don’t understand Ramiz at all...

He wants to replace all regional coaches with Foreign coaches, but at the same time he wants Aqib Javed to be the head coach of Pakistan. The man is making no logical sense!

"Aaqib wished to become the Pakistan head coach, but Ramiz wanted him to give a role in the NHPC, sources said." -samaa tv

 

[Rana]

"Aaqib wished to become the Pakistan head coach, but Ramiz wanted him to give a role in the NHPC, sources said." -samaa tv

Aqib is a shameless dude. But Misbah already set the precedent of stepping up for key roles without competence

 

[Rana]

Feel so bad for Pakistani coaches.

How else does PCB hope to develop its own coaches? By throwing them straight into the national side like they did with Misbah??

 

[Shafi]

So Grant Bradburn will be sacked?

 

[Savak]

According to reports, Ramiz has decided to sack the coaches of the six regional association sides. The PCB chief is considering to replace them with foreign coaches.

This is a revolutionary move. This will ensure our domestic sides get up to speed on modern cricket. The local coaches should work as assistants to the foreign coaches

 

[Savak]

"Aaqib wished to become the Pakistan head coach, but Ramiz wanted him to give a role in the NHPC, sources said." -samaa tv

Aqib also wanted a hefty financial package which RR was not inclined to give him

 

[moghul]

Ramiz is an honest person, well qualified , educated and looks like he is on a mission to bring some positive changes in the infrastructure of Pakistan cricket. His actions might not be politically correct but I'm glad he is not bothered about it. I have lots of expectations from him.

 

[moghul]

Aqib also wanted a hefty financial package which RR was not inclined to give him

If Moin Khan can get such a hefty package ( Azam Khan ) why not Aaqib?

 

[Bewal Express]

This is a revolutionary move. This will ensure our domestic sides get up to speed on modern cricket. The local coaches should work as assistants to the foreign coaches

Foreign coaches will make little difference and it will be an expensive move. If a Foreign coach is appointed then he needs to help to train our coaches in fielding because its one area where coaches can make a difference. The Fielding in the T20 is an absolute disgrace.

 

[Titan24]

I hope he doesn’t appoint coaches only based upon the fact that they are foreigners rather their CV and credentials.

Also if he thinks that local coaching needs improvement he needs to chalk out a plan. As foreign coaches at domestic level can be a short term fix but, not sustainable in the long run.

 

[Saj]

I hope the jobs for the boys culture is eradicated, otherwise this will become a mess.

 

[cricketerB94]

According to reports, Ramiz has decided to sack the coaches of the six regional association sides. The PCB chief is considering to replace them with foreign coaches.

And why exactly will any good coach want to join Pakistan's domestic cricket setup? PCB merely gets a couple of good foreign coaches applications when they advertise for national head coach position.

 

[Sir-fraz]

According to reports, Ramiz has decided to sack the coaches of the six regional association sides. The PCB chief is considering to replace them with foreign coaches.

That would be very niave of rameez. We should stick with local coaches and try to develop our own coaches staff.. foreign coaches will not come due to the recent events

 

[Shafi]

Foreign coaches are essential for U15, U19 and 6 first class teams specially batting and fielding. Our local coaches should work as assistant coaches in order to improve themselves.

 

[shamaan]

That would be very niave of rameez. We should stick with local coaches and try to develop our own coaches staff.. foreign coaches will not come due to the recent events

Ramiz should give them another season before he makes any changes

 

[b.lesner]

I don't understand why remove regional coaches in 6 associations as selectors it was first time 2 selectors were present in each match , we have seen in past that independent selection committee just watch PSL final and don't know anything about domestic players let alone 2nd XI and U-19 players it would have been better strengthening the 6 coaches and have high class players coach them like Wasim Akram, Inzamam etc or even if you get foreign coaches for the 6 teams as Ramiz wants they would be impartial and good for selection panel.

 

[Rana]

What constitutional power does the chairman have in selection?

How can a chairman discard a player from the national selection or set up even though he has been cleared to play by the ICC and Chief selector of Pakistan before?

Does the PCB chairman have any constitutional authority in disallowing a player to represent Pakistan even if the chief selector, captain and coach has approved his selection?

Can someone please explain? [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=8]MIG[/MENTION] @lastMoneterist

 

[Savak]

How can a chairman discard a player from the national selection or set up even though he has been cleared to play by the ICC and Chief selector of Pakistan before?

Does the PCB chairman have any constitutional authority in disallowing a player to represent Pakistan even if the chief selector, captain and coach has approved his selection?

Can someone please explain? [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=8]MIG[/MENTION] @lastMoneterist

The team requires the chairman's signature at the end

 

[Rana]

The team requires the chairman's signature at the end

So Ramiz lies about how he doesn’t want the chairman to be the main man?

 

[cricketerB94]

How can a chairman discard a player from the national selection or set up even though he has been cleared to play by the ICC and Chief selector of Pakistan before?

Does the PCB chairman have any constitutional authority in disallowing a player to represent Pakistan even if the chief selector, captain and coach has approved his selection?

Can someone please explain? [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=8]MIG[/MENTION] @lastMoneterist

The chairman has the authority to make a policy to not select a convicted player in national team which is very much logical and happens in most of the top teams.

 

[Rana]

The chairman has the authority to make a policy to not select a convicted player in national team which is very much logical and happens in most of the top teams.

The chairman can make a policy all on his own? Is this constitutionally factual?

 

[Major]

The chairman can make a policy all on his own? Is this constitutionally factual?

constitutionally, Sharjeel shouldn't had been spot fixing in psl.

Look, if you want to play with the law than you cant even drop a player based on him being defensive because there isn't any law that states defensive players cannot be selected.

Sharjeel did the crime, yes he is cleared, but it is up to PCB who they want to play and who they dont want to. It cannot be challenged in court because PCB can come up with any excuse being his fitness or the fact that he is not their in their plans.

 

[cricketerB94]

The chairman can make a policy all on his own? Is this constitutionally factual?

Not sure about the specifics of constitution, but generally chairman has the right to make selection policies and every kind of policies in the organization. The head of the departments need to follow those policies. Having said that, I am not sure if Ramiz has made any such policy.

 

[Rana]

Not sure about the specifics of constitution, but generally chairman has the right to make selection policies and every kind of policies in the organization. The head of the departments need to follow those policies. Having said that, I am not sure if Ramiz has made any such policy.

And the chairman should have his proposed policies signed and approved by who? The BOG? The Pakistan assembly?

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja is keen on introducing foreign coaches in the domestic cricket circuit.

Raja met domestic cricketers in a local hotel in Lahore on Sunday to share his vision on how to take the country’s cricket forward.

“I have come here as a cricketer and not PCB chairman,” Raja was quoted as saying by sources.

“We need to improve the standard of coaching which is why we are looking to introduce foreign coaches in domestic cricket,” he added.

It must be noted that coaches and support staff of domestic teams were not invited for this meeting.

Also, few days back, Raja had sent a clear message to coaches of the domestic teams while stating that “people who will do a good job will stay others will go home”.

Raja also urged the players to let their performance do the talking in order to succeed.

“If you want to do well as cricketer, take the idea of short cuts out of your minds. Performers will get opportunities so keep putting in the hard yards,” he concluded.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...-be-introduced-in-domestic-cricket-ramiz-raja

 

[Bewal Express]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja is keen on introducing foreign coaches in the domestic cricket circuit.

Raja met domestic cricketers in a local hotel in Lahore on Sunday to share his vision on how to take the country’s cricket forward.

“I have come here as a cricketer and not PCB chairman,” Raja was quoted as saying by sources.

“We need to improve the standard of coaching which is why we are looking to introduce foreign coaches in domestic cricket,” he added.

It must be noted that coaches and support staff of domestic teams were not invited for this meeting.

Also, few days back, Raja had sent a clear message to coaches of the domestic teams while stating that “people who will do a good job will stay others will go home”.

Raja also urged the players to let their performance do the talking in order to succeed.

“If you want to do well as cricketer, take the idea of short cuts out of your minds. Performers will get opportunities so keep putting in the hard yards,” he concluded.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...-be-introduced-in-domestic-cricket-ramiz-raja

Fielding is one area where coaches can guide players, and then obviously players have to take it on board. The standard of fielding for the FC game is a total disgrace, ts no exaggeration to say that it reminds of desi taxi drivers in the Sunday parks league, and the catching in some cases is worse. The coaches are getting paid and are having ni impact at all.

 

[b.lesner]

No Rumours coming about who will be the 6 foreign coaches I'm sure they won't be high quality but at least try to get Shield and County cricket coaches and also PCB need to be clear if current coaches are here for full season or are they going to be coaches in QAT.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

The Pakistan Cricket Board conducted a day-long workshop for coaches from six regions at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi on Monday, 15 September

The participants of the workshop included coaches from Dera Murad Jamali, FATA, Karachi, Larkana, Multan and Rawalpindi Regions. Another set of regional coaches will undergo similar day-long workshop on Saturday, 20 September at the Inzamam-ul-Haq High-Performance Centre in Multan.

The workshop was led by National Cricket Academy’s Head of Coach Education and Development Shahid Aslam, while member Men’s and Women’s Selection Committee and head of Hanif Mohammad HPC Asad Shafiq and head coach HPC Azam Khan assisted him.

The intensive workshop was divided into three parts which comprised of lectures on the challenges faced by coaches, coaching theories, performing under pressure, use of Technology and Data science in coaching and a dedicated skills session followed by a feedback session.

The PCB has scheduled these workshops on rest days during the ongoing Hanif Mohammad Trophy to keep a track of the development of coaches with the onset of the domestic cricket season 2025-26.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Series of U19 coaches' workshop concludes in Muridke​

A series of three workshops for the coaches of regional men’s U19 teams and those working in the National Women’s U19 tournament were held in Karachi, Peshawar and Muridke on 2, 4 and 7 October, respectively.

National Cricket Academy’s Head of Coach Education and Development Shahid Aslam led the three workshops at all three venues and was assisted by Manager Coach Education Rahat Abbas. More than 50 coaches attended the workshops across three cities as part of PCB’s plan to upskill the domestic cricket coaches.

At the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre, Karachi, head and assistant coaches of the four Women’s U19 teams’ including former Pakistan internationals Nahida Khan and Jaweria Rauf attended the workshop. The coaches were briefed about specific skills required while working in the women’s cricket coaching circuit.

Topics like the strength and conditioning of the U19 and Emerging women’s players, cultivation of an athletic culture among players, use of technology and data along with transition from U19 to senior cricket were also discussed in the workshop.

In Peshawar on 4 October, coaches from Rawalpindi, Karachi, FATA, Dera Murad Jamali, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, Lahore and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad regions of the Group B of ongoing National U19 One-Day Cup convened at the Imran Khan Stadium. PCB High-Performance coach Abdul Rehman was also present.

Coaches from Abbottabad, Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Larkana, Karachi and Quetta U19 teams attended the workshop at Country club Muridke, where along with Shahid Aslam, PCB’s head of youth development, Azhar Ali was also present.

The coaches took part in discussions, lectures and one-on-one sessions on coaching theory, challenges faced by coaches at grassroots level, talent identification, player development, strength and conditioning routines according to workload of players and a number of other related topics in day-long workshops.

These three workshops were part of a coach education initiative undertaken by the National Cricket Academy during the domestic cricket season 2025-26 as coaches of all teams participating in Hanif Mohammad Trophy also underwent day-long sessions in September.

Source: PCB