Abdul Razzaq Opens Up On Missing Out On Pakistan's 2007 World T20 Squad

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has opened up on his non-selection for the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. 2007 was the first year of the T20 World Cup, with India winning the final by beating Pakistan in a nail-biter. Abdul Razzaq, a hard-hitting batsman and an accurate right-arm seamer revealed that the chief selector back then decided not to pick him for the tournament.

Abdul Razzaq was arguably one of the best Pakistan all-rounders to take the field. Even though the 41-year old played an integral role in the men in green’s victory in the 2009 World T20, he has a modest record in the format. Razzaq averages 20.68 with the bat, with 46 as his best score, while snaring 20 scalps at 19.75, keeping an economy rate of 6.99.

Abdul Razzaq revealed that not remaining fit for the 50-over World Cup in 2007, caused him to miss the event. The seam-bowling all-rounder stated that he got fit after that; however, went ignored. Razzaq conceded that when asked captain Shoiab Malik about the reason, he referred him to chief selector Salahuddin Sallo. He said that Sallo had decided to drop him.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t fit before World Cup 2007 and missed the event. Right after the World Cup, I got fit to play but remained unpicked for T20 World Cup. I went to the then captain Shoaib Malik to ask the reason but he referred me to the chief selector Salahuddin Sallo. Sallo Bhai said the decision to drop me was taken by the board,” Razzaq told ARY Sports.

I think the then chairman Naseem Ashraf didn’t like me: Abdul Razzaq

Abdul Razzaq further opined that the then PCB Chairman Naseem Ashraf disliked him and never knew why. The 41-year old said they interacted well enough; hence, the reason for it remains unknown. Razzaq also remotely hinted he plans to write a book, revealing all the truths.

“I think the then chairman Naseem Ashraf didn’t like me. I don’t know why (he dropped me). In fact, he was with the team for two years before becoming PCB chairman and I always had a good interaction with him, reason for disliking me is still unknown. I don’t have any mood to write a book. I believe you have to write all the facts in a book. If I write a book, all the truth will come out and that truth will be intolerable,” he added.

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