Wahab Riaz Concerned With Pakisan’s Selection Policy; Says Selected Players Are Judged On One Or Two Performances

Pakistan left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz has expressed his discontent with the national team’s selection policy. Wahab Riaz has been one of the premier Pakistan pacers, having donned the jersey across formats for them. Riaz, who has so far featured in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is and last represented Pakistan in December last year, lamented the selectors’ call to axe players based on one or two performances.

Ever since Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir announced their retirement from Test cricket, the duo has copped plenty of criticism. The 35-year old quit Test cricket in July 2019 to prolong his white-ball career and franchise cricket worldwide. Head coach Misbah-Ul-Haq had slammed the left-arm seamers for giving up Test cricket as they are forced to rebuild their pace attack with young and inexperienced options.

Even though Wahab Riaz acknowledged that they have made mistakes, he feels that the selectors should not judge players’ performances based on one or two matches. The veteran stated that it has been a norm for Pakistan to select players based on or two games and not take into account the past ones. Riaz thinks that the cricketers would showcase improved outings if they get supported through the thick and thin and he hopes it is implemented.

“You cannot completely blame the management. There are some mistakes that we as players have made as far as performances are concerned. But I think something that should be changed is that a player should not be judged based on just one or two matches. Not only with us but with anyone. It has been the norm in Pakistan that any player selected is judged based on one or two performances. I think the previous performances and hard work of the player should be kept in mind. Everyone has good and bad days. A player can give better performances if they are supported in both good and bad times. I think this is something that definitely needs to improve. Hopefully it will be better with time,” Riaz told Cricket Pakistan.

Players always have this question of why they were excluded: Wahab Riaz

Wahab Riaz also stressed the importance of communication and notifying players why they had been excluded, so they could work on improving themselves. The left-arm paceman feels that players deserve the revelation from the selectors if they are not part of the long-term plans and facilitate a clear message, resulting in better performances.

“Communication is very important. Players always have this question of why they were excluded. If an explanation is given and is based on reality then a player has to take them and work harder. It shouldn’t just be because of some excuses. It makes a lot of difference. I even think if a player is not part of the teams plan for a longer period than he should be told. The player can then work hard on improving his game without any diversions. I think a clear message and picture should be sent to players which can result in better performances,” he added.

Also Read: I Have Thought About Changing My State Team So That I Can Get To Bat At Either No. 4 Or 5: Vijay Shankar