ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's cricket authorities Tuesday appointed former opener Mohsin Hasan Khan as the national team's chief selector following its humiliating defeats in its recent tour of Australia.

The post became vacant with the resignation of Iqbal Qasim, who resigned on January 31 shortly after Pakistan lost the tour's one-day series 5-0 and the Test series 3-0.

"Mohsin Hasan Khan has been appointed as chairman of the selection committee with immediate effect," Wasim Bari, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief operating officer told AFP.

Khan, 54, who has played 48 Tests and 75 limited overs matches for Pakistan, said he had been approached by the PCB to take over the post.

"I will finalise my strategy once I meet chairman of the board," he told AFP after his appointment.

"I have a passion to serve Pakistan cricket and will do my best to select players on merit," he added.

Khan's first task will be to select Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 championship, to be held in the West Indies in April-May, when Pakistan will defend the title it won in England last year.

The PCB has also formed a committee to investigate the defeats in Australia.