Reason behind sacking of Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq revealed
Sources say discipline breaches and biased selections prompted dismissal of both ex-cricketers
Former fast bowlers Wahab Riaz and ex-allrounder Abdul Razzaq have been dismissed from the national team’s selection committee. Sources reveal the duo was accused of favouring underperforming players in the men’s team selection.
Other selectors opposed the inclusion of these players, but Wahab and Razzaq reportedly insisted on their selection. Additionally, Wahab Riaz has been criticised for failing to fulfil his responsibilities as a senior manager during tours.
According to coaches’ reports, he did not address the unprofessional behaviour of Shaheen Shah Afridi and other players who violated discipline due to the presence of their families.
Wahab Riaz and team manager Mansoor Rana have also been blamed for not enforcing curfew timings.
Reports suggest the board chairman has instructed action against those creating factions within the team.
Earlier in the day, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were formally ousted from Pakistan’s cricket selection committee. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the decision early Wednesday, citing the national team’s underwhelming performance at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, failing to advance past the group stages, prompted the PCB’s reevaluation of its selection strategy. “It has notified Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz that their services will no longer be required in the national selection committee setup,” stated the PCB in a press release.
Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance during the T20 World Cup, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had indicated that the national team will undergo major changes.
“I thought the team required minor surgery to start winning matches but now it appears that we have to go for major surgery. It is very disappointing the way we lost to the USA and now this loss to India. We need to now start looking at players beyond those in the team right now,” he said.
He further added, “Why the team is not performing is something everyone is asking. The World Cup is still on. But obviously, we will sit down and take a look at everything.”
