Wahab Riaz and Razzaq axed from the selection panel after Pakistan's T20 World Cup debacle

Pakistan’s poor T20 World Cup campaign in the USA has seen Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq being sacked from their positions in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection committee as well. While the PCB is yet to confirm the much-talked-about development, as per Cricbuzz, it’s only a matter of time before an announcement is made as well.

Both Riaz and Razzaq were part of the seven-member selection committee that chose the squad for the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, an internal PCB inquiry is believed to have found discrepancies in their decisions. Moreover, the PCB’s decision could be linked to feedback received from various members of the touring committee – including the manager, coach, and possibly even the captain Babar Azam as well. Notably, Razzaq will also be removed from his position on the women’s team selection panel as well.

“The decision was taken following feedback from various stakeholders, including players and support staff, regarding the promotion and selection of certain players despite reservations from other members,” sources familiar with the developments told Cricbuzz.

SEE ALSO: ‘It’s coming home’ – Team India to reach New Delhi on Thursday

Pakistan had a poor season in the T20 World Cup

In an exclusive interview during the tournament, Ramiz Raja, a former head of the PCB, slammed the selection of the team, especially the recall of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who returned from retirement as well. Moreover, the fact that Riaz and Razzaq are playing in the ongoing World Championship of Legends in Birmingham has not gone down well with the PCB authorities as well.

However, the selection committee was announced by the PCB more than three months ago that too without a chairman. In addition to Wahab Riaz and Razzaq, the committee included Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, along with the national team’s respective captain and coach, Gary Kirsten or Jason Gillespie as well.

“The seventh member is Bilal Afzal (data analyst), who will be responsible for providing the members with statistics and data to assist in the selection process,” the PCB had stated in its March 24 release.

However, Pakistan faced a shocking defeat at the hands of the co-hosts USA. A close loss to India in New York further dashed their hopes of advancing further in the World Cup, although they managed to beat Canada and Ireland in the group stage as well. India and the USA advanced to the Super 8 stage from Group (A), with India clinching the trophy in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 29.