(Source X)
Former Pakistan cricketer Sikander Bakht has voiced his support for PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s decisive action in removing Wahab Riaz from the selection committee. Bakht expressed strong criticism towards Wahab Riaz and the team management’s controversial decision to recall retired players for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 held in the West Indies and the USA, where they were eliminated in the initial stage of the tournament, the PCB took action by dismissing Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from their roles in the selection committee. The board also made headlines by refusing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan for their participation in the Global T20 Tournament in Canada.
During a recent appearance on a Pakistani TV program, Sikander Bakht stood firmly behind the PCB’s move to relieve Wahab Riaz of his duties. Bakht didn’t hold back in his criticism of Riaz and the team’s decision to opt for retired players like Usman Khan, emphasizing that Riaz is someone of considerable fortitude.
“Riaz is the strongest person. The reason for this is that in our society, no one is the advisor of the chief minister or the sports minister unless he is very powerful. He was very powerful, but he was removed. That’s a good one step forward,” Bakht said.
“He must know who gave him the wrong advice to bring back the retired players. To bring back Usman Khan,he must know all this. He was the man, so he removed him. That was a good one,” he added.
Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir were both featured in Pakistan’s lineup for the T20 World Cup, but their performances fell short of expectations. Amir faced difficulties during the critical Super Over against the USA, while Wasim’s sluggish innings against India played a role in Pakistan squandering a commanding position.
Regarding the controversy surrounding NOCs for the Global T20 Canada and its financial implications, Sikander Bakht highlighted reports of Pakistani players engaging in private events in the USA for as little as $25. He criticized the PCB, alleging that such incidents are tarnishing Pakistan’s cricketing reputation and turning it into a laughingstock.
“But the whole game is that you were saying, What will happen to these kids with so much money? These are the kids who are getting their photos clicked for $25. Do you know that our country has humiliated us so much that you must have seen it yourself that if someone wants to buy a photo for $25, they do it despite having so much money,” Bakht further stated.
Bakht drew a comparison between Pakistani players and their Indian counterparts like Virat Kohli, highlighting that Indian cricketers are restricted from participating in various franchise leagues yet still earn substantial incomes. He questioned why Pakistani players feel compelled to seek opportunities in additional leagues for financial gain, given that they are also adequately remunerated.
