Test legend, Sarfraz Nawaz has called for the sacking of the entire selection committee, criticizing the decision to give Wahab Riaz significant power ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, the former fast bowler described the committee as “incapable of delivering.”
“The selection committee has worked collectively, as was apparent during the pre-World Cup press conference where every member admitted that the team was constituted by consensus,” Sarfraz said.
Every member of the committee was responsible for the selection, so all should be sacked.
Sarfraz has been vocal in his disapproval of Wahab Riaz’s administrative capabilities, having written letters to both former PCB Management Committee head Zaka Ashraf and current chairman Mohsin Naqvi. “I am on record to have written letters to Zaka and Naqvi regarding Wahab’s suspected past and his lack of abilities as an administrator. Nobody paid heed to my suggestion. I knew well that Wahab was not capable of delivering in any capacity, yet he was made selector, advisor, and manager. On all fronts, he failed.”
Wahab Riaz, along with Abdul Razzaq, were sacked from the national selection committee by the PCB. In a tweet on ‘X,’ the former Sports Minister acknowledged the collective responsibility of the selection committee in choosing the T20 World Cup team. “I don’t agree with the statements being discussed as adding pressure to the members of the selection committee. How can one vote dominate six? Everything is documented on record in the minutes of the meeting,” Wahab stated.
Sarfraz emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul rather than selective changes. “Major surgery is required if at all we want to put the system on the right track. There should be a three-member selection committee, and mere sacking of Wahab and Abdul Razzaq would not be enough. Not even Asad Shafiq (a silent spectator) and Mohammad Yousuf are capable of delivering.”
On the issue of captaincy, Sarfraz advocated for retaining Shan Masood as Test captain and appointing Mohammad Rizwan as the white-ball captain. “Rizwan has proved his captaincy credentials by helping KPK win all domestic events in the past, while his performance as Multan Sultans’ captain has been consistent over the years. He is the best choice for the job. Babar Azam is low in confidence and should not be considered for the job.”
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