Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi safeguarded as Pakistan Cricket Board slits the throat of these Pakistan cricketers

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering changes within the selection committee following the Babar Azam-led team's early exit from the recent T20 World Cup 2024. The PCB reportedly sacked Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from their roles on the committee in the T20 World Cup post-mortem.

The Men in Green performed poorly in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The team faced an unexpected loss to the USA in their first match in Dallas. The Babar Azam-led side then lost to India in their next match in New York, which led to their elimination without reaching the Super 8s.

The Pakistan Cricket Board promised to implement significant changes within the national cricket team following the Men in Green's group stage exit in the recently concluded ICC tournament. The poor squad selection was considered a key reason for their disappointing performance in the marquee event.

Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq Sacked By PCB - Report

According to a recent report by ESPNcricinfo, the Pakistan Cricket Board sacked Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from their roles as selectors for the national cricket team. Although there has been no official announcement from the PCB yet, it is reported that the decision will be made public later this week.

Wahab was appointed chief selector last year but lost this role earlier this year. However, the former pacer remained on a selection committee where all members, including the PCB chairman, had equal voting power. Abdul Razzaq was part of both the men's and women's national teams' selection committees.

The Pakistan board is expected to restructure the selection committee by reducing its size and reintroducing a chief selector. Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq will continue in their roles as selectors. Razzaq and Wahab are not expected to be replaced simply to maintain the selection committee's size.

Mohsin Naqvi Serving As The Incumbent Chief Selector

Mohsin Naqvi is currently serving as the incumbent chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Wahab Riaz served as interim Punjab sports minister during Mohsin Naqvi's tenure as chief minister. The left-arm pacer briefly took on the role of senior men's team manager during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The frequent changes highlight ongoing instability in the PCB's selection committee, which has seen six different chief selectors in the past four years. Wahab, Haroon Rashid, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim, and Misbah-ul-Haq have all briefly served as chief selectors during this period.

The Pakistan team's next assignment will be against Bangladesh, featuring two Tests. It will be Pakistan's first series in the 2024–25 home international season. The first match will be played in Rawalpindi from August 21-25, and the second red-ball match is scheduled in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

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