Lahore: Pakistan’s former cricket captain Shahid Afridi has expressed surprise over the removal of Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee. Speaking to the media after Pakistan’s match against South Africa in the World Champions Legends Tournament, Afridi said no captain in Pakistan’s history has been given as many opportunities as Babar Azam. He added that it is customary for a captain to return home after poor performance in a mega event, but termed the removal of Riaz and Razzaq as a “surgery” that he finds hard to comprehend with honesty.
The former all-rounder stated that while he and other captains like Misbah and Younis Khan have led the Pakistani team, they never received such extensive opportunities, noting that even after getting all those chances, Babar Azam couldn’t prove himself. In a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it was mentioned that former cricketers Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq have been removed from the selection committee as their services are no longer needed for the national team.
Both former cricketers were members of the selection committee during tours to New Zealand and England, including the T20 World Cup. No statement has been issued regarding the future of the other three members of the selection committee, Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, and Bilal Asif, which has raised questions.
The decision by the board comes at a time when both cricketers are actively participating in the Legends League tournament, where the Pakistani team is currently positioned at the top after winning four out of five matches.