Abdul Razzaq breaks silence after being sacked by Pakistan Cricket Board

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq issued an official statement after being sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from the seven-man selection committee for the men's team. Abdul Razzaq accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of making him a scapegoat despite collective decisions from the selectors.

The Pakistan Cricket Board made headlines by removing Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz from their roles in the men's team selection committee. They made this decision after Pakistan's underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green suffered group-stage elimination in the event.

The Babar Azam-led team suffered losses against the United States of America and India in their first two matches of the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite registering wins against Ireland and Canada, Pakistan did not qualify for the Super 8s in the recently concluded tournament in the West Indies and the USA.

Their Services Will No Longer Be Required - PCB

Following Pakistan's group stage exit, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has begun revamping Pakistan's cricket setup, starting with changes to the selection committee members. Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq reacted on their social media accounts to recent events and developments within Pakistani cricket.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed that it has notified Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz that their services will no longer be required in the national selection committee set up. Abdul Razzaq was a member of the men’s and women’s selection committees, while Wahab was a member of the men’s selection committee. The PCB will provide further updates on the selection committee’s composition in due course," the board said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Abdul Razzaq expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter). Razzaq emphasized that all decisions regarding Pakistan's team for the T20 World Cup were collective. The former all-rounder questioned how one vote could dominate over the others in the seven-member selection committee.

"If all were given equal power how can one vote overpower the other 6 in the selection committee ??"

If all were given equal power how can one vote overpower the other 6 in the selection committee ??

— Abdul Razzaq (@ARazzaqPak) July 10, 2024

Both Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were part of the seven-member selection committee. Riaz also served as the senior team manager during tours to Ireland, England, and the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. Razzaq was part of the men's team selection committee and the women's team selection committee.

Pakistan Cricket Board Appoint New Selection Committee

The PCB has appointed six different chief selectors in the past four years. Wahab, Haroon Rashid, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim, and Misbah-ul-Haq all served as chief selectors. The selectors were the first to be sacked after the Pakistan team's disappointing performances in recent times.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the selection committee, including Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, along with Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Yousuf. The captain of the relevant format will also be part of this selection committee. It marks a significant change in Pakistan's cricket management structure.

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