In light of Pakistan’s humiliating exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq have been reportedly fired from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee. Although Razzaq, who is 44 years old was just recently enlisted as a member of both men and women’s selection committees, he will not remain in them.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet made any official declaration, but it is expected to be made later this week, according to a report from ESPNcricinfo. Wahab’s departure should not be unexpected to many because earlier on the former left-hand pacer had lost his chief selectors position following the board’s decision to do away with the role.
It is said that when Mohsin Naqvi became the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, Wahab served as his sports minister. Because Wahab was friendly with Naqvi, Wahab managed to secure his place in the selection committee despite the post of “chief selector” being abolished.
Naqvi, the current chief selector for the PCB, is thought to have made a brave decision after a meeting in Lahore on July 9. The meeting included Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie, and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.
The meeting discussed the future of Wahab and Razzaq and focused on creating a plan to enhance performance in batting, bowling, and fielding.
Everyone at the meeting agreed to increase the fitness level. Importantly, after removing Razzaq and Wahab, the men’s selection committee now has five members: Mohammad Yousaf, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, a data analyst, the team captain, and the head coach.
Pakistan’s next international games are two Test matches at home against Bangladesh in August.
