Former Pakistan cricketer Wahab Riaz has finally spoken out about his removal from the national selection committee, a decision confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday. The board also announced that Abdul Razzaq, another prominent figure in Pakistani cricket, would no longer serve on the selection committee.
This development comes in the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where they failed to advance past the group stage, suffering defeats to both the USA and India.
Wahab Riaz Responds to Removal
Wahab Riaz took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts. “There is a lot I can say but I don’t want to be part of the blame games,” he wrote, emphasizing his desire to avoid controversy.
In a heartfelt letter accompanying his post, Riaz reflected on his tenure with the PCB. “My time serving as a member of the selection committee for PCB comes to an end. I want my people to know that I have served the game I love with faith and sincerity and have given 100 percent for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” he stated.
Riaz highlighted the collaborative nature of the selection process, noting that every member of the seven-man panel had an equal vote. “It was an honour to contribute my part to that,” he said, adding that supporting head coach Gary Kirsten and the rest of the coaching staff in their vision for the team was a privilege.
“I am confident that the team plans the coaches have put together will ensure this team continues to grow into a dominant force as we move forward, and I wish them the best of luck on that journey,” Riaz concluded, thanking those who had supported him and expressing his hopes for the future success of Pakistan cricket.
PCB’s Ongoing Restructuring
The PCB has announced plans to restructure the selection committee, with details on its new composition expected soon. Wahab Riaz previously served as Chief Selector before being reinstated as one of the seven members of the men’s selection committee. During his tenure, he also traveled with the Pakistan team to the T20 World Cup as a senior team manager.
Over the past four years, the PCB has seen six different top selectors, including Wahab, Mohammad Wasim, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Haroon Rashid, and Misbah-ul-Haq, all of whom had relatively brief tenures. This frequent turnover highlights the challenges and pressures faced by the selectors in shaping the national team.
Wahab Riaz’s Cricketing Career
Wahab Riaz’s contributions to Pakistan cricket extend beyond his role as a selector. Since making his international debut against Zimbabwe in 2008, Riaz has had a prolific career, taking 237 wickets for Pakistan.
In Test cricket, Riaz played 27 matches, claiming 83 wickets at an average of 34.50, with the best bowling figures of 5/63. He also recorded three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls in Tests.
Riaz’s One Day International (ODI) career includes 91 matches, during which he took 120 wickets at an average of 34.40, with the best figures of 5/46. He achieved five four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in ODIs.
In the T20 International (T20I) format, Riaz played 36 matches, taking 34 wickets at an average of 28.55 and an economy rate of 8.20, with the best figures of 3/18. He is ranked 18th among Pakistan’s top wicket-takers in international cricket, a list topped by legends Wasim Akram (916 wickets), Waqar Younis (789 wickets), and Imran Khan (544 wickets).
Conclusion
Wahab Riaz’s removal from the PCB selection committee marks a significant change in the structure of Pakistan cricket’s administration. While Riaz has chosen to avoid blame games, his contributions to the national team, both as a player and a selector, are undeniable. As the PCB moves forward with its restructuring plans, the cricketing community will be keenly watching to see how these changes impact the future performance of the Pakistan cricket team.
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