Earlier today, news came out that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had sacked chief selector Wahab Riaz. Naturally, one expected the Pakistan cricket team’s poor performance in the recently concluded 2024 T20 World Cup, which saw them get knocked out of the group stage. However, Wahab also serves Pakistan as their senior team manager, and it’s his incompetence in his other role that has seen him lose both positions at once.
Shaheen Afridi’s unbecoming behaviour
Wahab and manager Mansoor Rana were apparently let go due to a lack of discipline in Team Pakistan during their last three tours, a source told GeoSuper. The Men in Green had traveled to Ireland and England for the T20I series’ and then went to the USA for the T20 World Cup. During these tours, Shaheen Afridi allegedly misbehaved with the coaches and management, but neither Wahab nor Mansoor took any action.
The issue has come to light now, and naturally, the PCB has decided to not only sack the managers but also launch an investigation into the matter. A big reason why Shaheen could have been lashed out could be his own sacking by the PCB. In late April, the left-arm pacer was replaced as Pakistan’s T20I captain after he’d lost a series to New Zealand 1-4. Babar Azam was named his replacement, and since then, we’ve heard rumors of a rift in the Pakistan dressing room.
The source further added that lobbies between players have been created, with players siding with either Babar or Shaheen. The coaches have also reported to the PCB about some players’ attitudes and how the atmosphere isn’t great in the changing room due to two factions created.
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