Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former skipper Shahid Afridi as the chief selector of the men's cricket team on an interim basis for the upcoming home series against New Zealand.

The new PCB management committee, headed by Najam Sethi, sacked the Mohammad Wasim-led selection committee. The decision has been taken only a few days after Pakistan suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in the home Test series against England.

"I feel honoured to have been assigned this responsibility by the PCB Management Committee and will no stone unturned in fulfilling this responsibility to the best of my abilities. We need to get back to our winning ways and I have no doubts that through meritocratic and strategic selection decisions, we will help the national side to perform strongly in the series against New Zealand and reclaim the confidence of our fans," Afridi said in a statement.

“I will soon convene a meeting of the selectors and will share my plans with reference to the upcoming matches,” he added.

Besides Afridi, other former cricketers like Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum are also part of the selection panel while Haroon Rashid was named the convener.

"Shahid Afridi has been an attacking cricketer who played all his cricket with no fear. He has nearly 20 years of cricket experience, has featured in all formats with significant success and more importantly, has always backed and supported young talent,” Najam Sethi, PCB management committee chair, said in a statement.

"So, in our collective opinion, there is no better person than him to understand the rigours, demands and challenges of the modern day game. I remain confident that through his insight and knowledge of the game, he will help Pakistan select the best and most deserving players, and contribute in the side's success in the upcoming series."

Pakistan will next host New Zealand in two Tests and three ODIs from December 26 to January 14.