- Wahab Riaz remains composed after being removed from the PCB selection committee.
- The PCB cited team performance as the reason behind Riaz’s dismissal.
- Riaz expresses gratitude for his time serving on the selection panel and wishes success for Pakistan cricket’s future.
Former Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz responded with grace and composure following his removal from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee, as confirmed by a statement released earlier today.
In a muted reaction on social media, Riaz chose not to engage in blame games, stating, “I don’t want to be a part of the blame game. I gave my 100% for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Riaz expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the selection panel. “My time serving as a member of the selection committee for PCB comes to an end,” he remarked. “I just 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.”
Acknowledging the collaborative nature of the selection process, Riaz highlighted the equal participation of all committee members in decision-making. “To make collaborative decisions as part of the seven-man panel to select the national team was a privilege,” he said. “Everyone’s vote carried equal weight, we made selection decisions as a team & shared the responsibility of that process equally.”
Expressing his gratitude towards those who supported him, Riaz concluded, “I am thankful to the people who have prayed for me. I wish nothing but success for the future of the Pakistan cricket team.”
The PCB, in its statement, clarified that the decision to remove Wahab Riaz and Manager Mansoor Rana stemmed from concerns over team discipline during recent tours. Despite Wahab’s dismissal, Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, and Bilal Afzal remain part of the selection panel, which also includes the team captain and head coach.
Earlier, Wahab Riaz refuted claims that he had exerted pressure on the selection committee. “I don’t agree with the statements being discussed about adding pressure to the members of the selection committee,” he asserted, emphasizing the transparency of the committee’s decisions documented in meeting minutes.
Riaz, who was also relieved of his duties as the senior team manager following the PCB’s decision, had been involved with the national men’s team during tours to Ireland, England, the United States, and the West Indies for the T20 World Cup 2024, where Pakistan exited in the group stage.