Former Pakistani fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over its selection policies, demanding a complete disbandment of the current selection committee. In a candid interview with a local sports outlet, Sarfaraz minced no words in expressing his dissatisfaction, particularly targeting Wahab Riaz’s role within the PCB.
Strong Criticism of the Selection Committee
“The current selection committee is incapable of delivering,” Sarfaraz stated bluntly. He pointed out that the entire committee should be held accountable for the team’s poor performance.
“The selection committee has worked collectively as was apparent during the pre-World Cup press conference with every member admitting that the team was constituted after consensus. Every member of the committee was responsible for the selection, so all should be sacked. The entire selection committee was incapable of delivering.”
Concerns About Wahab Riaz
Sarfaraz has long been vocal about his concerns regarding Wahab Riaz’s administrative capabilities. He revealed that he had written letters to both former PCB Management Committee head Zaka Ashraf and current chairman Mohsin Naqvi, expressing doubts about Wahab’s suitability for his roles.
“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.”
For context, Wahab Riaz served as Provincial Sports Minister under Naqvi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab. He was then appointed as the chief selector by PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf before Naqvi made him a selector and created a new post of senior team manager for him.
‘Recent Removals Not Enough’
Recently, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were removed from their positions as selectors, and Wahab also lost his role as senior team manager. However, Sarfaraz believes these changes are insufficient.
“We need a major overhaul to put the system back on track. A three-member selection committee would be more effective. Just removing Wahab and Abdul Razzaq isn’t enough. Even Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Yousuf are not capable of delivering,” he insisted.
Sarfaraz also suggested a change in leadership, advocating for Mohammad Rizwan to take over as captain in white-ball formats. “Rizwan has proved his captaincy credentials by helping KPK win all domestic events in the past, and his performance as Multan Sultans’ captain has been consistent over the years,” he concluded.
As Pakistan cricket faces scrutiny and calls for significant changes, the voices of experienced former players like Sarfaraz Nawaz add weight to the demands for a revamp.
Whether these suggestions will lead to substantial reforms remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Pakistan cricket is at a crossroads, and decisive actions are needed to steer it back on track.
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