Abdul Qadir named Pakistan selection chief

Former Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has been named Pakistan's new chairman of selectors, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.

PCB chairman Ejaz Butt told reporters in Islamabad that Qadir, who played 67 Tests and 104 one-day internationals, had been appointed chairman of the selection committee.

"Abdul Qadir is going to be the new chief selector and the rest of the members will be decided later," Butt said.

The 53-year-old Qadir said he had been asked about his availability and had little hesitation accepting the post.

"It is a big honour and task for me and the aim of the selectors should be to pick the best national side and also give exposure to new talent." He said.

The PCB had appointed an interim selection committee to pick the squad for the recent one-day series in Abu Dhabi against the West Indies.

Sources said two other former test players, Saleem Jaffer and Shoaib Mohammad, would also be on the new selection committee.

The PCB appointed another former test player Javed Miandad as their new director-general on Wednesday.

Butt, who took over as chairman last month, said he had set targets for everyone on the board.

"Our primary target for the first year is that Pakistan climb into the top three rankings in any two forms of the sport; test, one-day internationals or Twenty20 cricket," he said.

He made it clear that if this target was not fulfilled he would resign.