- PCB announces removal of Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from national selection committees.
- Decision follows team failures in recent series and tournaments.
- Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, and Bilal Afzal retained; further updates awaited on committee makeup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday the removal of former cricketers Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from its national selection committees for both men’s and women’s teams.
In a press release, the PCB stated that it had informed Riaz and Razzaq that their services were no longer required in the selection committee setup. This decision comes after a period of criticism and scrutiny following disappointing performances by both the men’s and women’s teams.
Sources cited by Geo News indicated that the board lost confidence in Riaz and Razzaq due to their support for players who underperformed in recent major events. Both cricketers had significant influence in the selection process for the T20 World Cup squad, a team that failed to meet expectations.
Riaz served on the men’s selection committee, while Razzaq was involved in both men’s and women’s team selections. Their opinions had reportedly not been considered in recent decisions, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with their roles.
Despite the removals, the PCB has retained Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, and Bilal Afzal in the seven-member selection panel, which also includes the team captain and head coach. Further updates regarding the composition of the selection committee are expected in due course, the board noted.
In response to the team’s poor performance, PCB Chairman has engaged in discussions with key figures in Pakistan cricket, including coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, as well as former and current players. A recent meeting highlighted strategic plans for the future of Pakistani cricket, emphasizing developmental pathways for aspiring national team players.
The chairman has hinted at forthcoming decisions that could lead to significant changes within the national team setup, including potential shifts in leadership roles. However, decisions regarding the future of current captain Babar Azam remain pending as discussions continue among stakeholders.
As the cricketing community awaits further developments, the PCB remains focused on restoring confidence in Pakistan cricket through decisive actions aimed at improving team performance and strategic management.
