Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq sacked after Pakistan’s dismal T20 World Cup show

PCB. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

The revamp of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has begun after the Men in Green’s humiliating exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 as the axe has fallen on Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq. An official announcement of their sackings as selectors is likely to be made next week.

Wahab, who was removed as chief selector earlier, was appointed as one of the seven selectors in 2023, as the selection committee was in need of a leader. Although, that seven-member committee had no one as chief selector. On the other hand, Razzaq was on the selection committee for both the men’s and the women’s team. He will not serve the for either of the teams now. Razzaq had also served as the interim and assistant coach in short spells over the years.

The change in the personnel, as per an ESPNcricinfo report, was expected after Pakistan’s forgettable performance in the T20 World Cup. Drawn in Group A alongside India, USA, Canada, and Ireland, Pakistan finished third place in the group-stage standings, failing to qualify for the Super Eight after a string of subpar performances and losses to USA and India. Their performance is the reportedly cause behind the selection commitee sackings.

Also read: Gary Kirsten, Wahab Riaz submit Pakistan’s T20 World Cup performance reports to PCB

The departure of Wahab and Razzaq would leave the selection committee with just five members, including the captain and head coach of the respective format alongside Mohammed Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, and Bilal Afzal, a data analyst.

Wahab’s rise after his playing career can be noted as well. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, played a huge hand in Wahab’s rise to the top. The former pacer served as the interim Punjab Sports Minister when Naqvi was the chief minister of the province. Furthermore, Wahab Riaz was also the senior team manager during the T20 World Cup. However, it will be a role that he will not be continuing.