Former Pakistan paceman Sarfaraz Nawaz has openly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to hire Wahab Riaz as the selector of the men’s cricket team. Nawaz claimed he had advised Zaka Ashraf and Mohsin Naqvi against Riaz’s appointment, believing Riaz was not suitable for the role.
With Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the PCB made the decision to sack both Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection panel, officially announcing it on Wednesday (July 10). Riaz, who joined the selection panel in November 2023, faced the axe after a string of poor performances by the national team.
Speaking to a local news outlet, Nawaz expressed his disappointment that his advice was ignored. He stated:
“I am on record to have written letters to Zaka and Naqvi regarding Wahab’s suspected past and his lack of abilities as an administrator. Nobody paid heed to my suggestion. I knew well that Wahab was not capable of delivering in any capacity yet he was made selector, advisor, and manager. On all fronts, he failed.”
In response to his dismissal, Riaz posted a lengthy statement on his official X account, expressing his thoughts but refraining from engaging in a blame game. He thanked stakeholders for their support and wished Pakistan Cricket the best moving forward.
“Babar Azam is Low in Confidence” – Sarfaraz Nawaz Suggests New White-Ball Captain
With Babar Azam’s future as captain hanging in the balance after a series of poor results, the 75-year-old Nawaz has suggested Mohammad Rizwan as a capable successor. Nawaz elaborated:
“Rizwan has proved his captaincy credentials by helping KPK win all domestic events in the past while his performance as Multan Sultans’ captain has been consistent over the years. He is the best choice for the job. Babar Azam is low in confidence and should not be considered for the job.”
Pakistan’s next challenge is a two-Test series against Bangladesh in August, where the team will aim to regroup and find its footing under new leadership.
This situation raises important questions about the selection process and the future direction of Pakistan cricket. As the team looks to rebuild, the decisions made now will undoubtedly shape their path forward.
