Following Pakistan's group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board took the first step by sacking chief selector Wahab Riaz and a member of the selection committee Abdul Razzaq from their positions on Wednesday, July 10.
After Pakistan's exit early from the tournament, Wahab Riaz's role as the chief selector was in jeopardy as former cricketers accused him of poor selection and favouritism, which they believed attributed to team's underwhelming performance in the recently concluded edition of the T20 World Cup.
As per ESPN Cricinfo, Wahab Raiz was earlier removed as the chief selector and included in the seven-member selection committee, that had no chief at all. However, Riaz was by default became the head of the selection committee due to his experience in the group just few months before the T20 World Cup.
Abdul Razzaq, on the other hand, was appointed as a member of selection committee for men's and women's teams. Now, the former Pakistan all-rounder will no serve as a member of the committee of selectors for both, men's and women's.
Before becoming the PCB chief selector, Wahab Riaz was caretaker sports minister. He was reportedly a close ally of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was then the caretaker minister of Punjab. Riaz travelled with Pakistan's 15-member squad to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA as a senior team manager to provide guidance to the team during the tournament.
PCB to appoint new chief selector
After sacking Wahab Riaz as the chief selector, the Pakistan Cricket Board will appoint new head of the selection committee. The entire selection committee is expected to be reconstituted as the PCB is looking to bring in fresh perspectives to guide national selections across formats.
With Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq sacked from the selection committee, only three members - Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq and Bilal Afzal are remaining.
Over the last four years, Pakistan witnessed six chief selectors, with former cricketers Wahab Riaz, Haroon Rashid, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim and Misbah-ul-Haq serving for brief stints.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with former Pakistan cricketers for their inputs and advice to put back the Men in Green on track following their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.
