Veteran Indian batsman Virender Sehwag minced no words to expose the hypocrisy of Pakistan cricket after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Babar Azam and team are facing intense scrutiny after failing to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the mega ICC event. The loss to the USA, a team that has not played Test matches, came as a major blow to the Pakistan team as they brought home the reality. They also failed to keep their cool against arch rivals India, which led to their elimination in the group stage.
With the Green Army facing backlash from all quarters, the reappointment of Captain Babar Azam and the reversal of Mohammed Amir Imad Wasim’s retirement policy have become a hot topic.
Sehwag slammed PCB chief selector Wahab Riaz for selecting Amir in the national team, months after he was seen criticising the Pakistan team on a TV channel during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“Wahab Riaz and Mohammed Amir, both of them criticised the Pakistan team and made comments on the same TV channel. Today, one of them is a selector (Riaz) and the other is in the playing eleven (Amir),” Sehwag was quoted as saying by CriqBuzz.
Amir, who was suspended in 2011 for his involvement in match-fixing, retired from all international cricket in 2021. However, after a change in the PCB management, Amir decided to return to the Pakistan team.
The veteran Indian cricketer pointed out prejudice within Pakistan cricket circles, which he said has led to the country’s recent decline.
“So if the same person who was criticising (Pakistan cricket) comes to power today and becomes the selectors, what would be the first thing they would do? ‘Mohammed Amir was with me, let me select him’. It’s like if Ajit Agarkar was the chairman (of the BCCI selection committee) today, he would say, ‘Vir, call Zak (Zahir Khan), I will support your return’,” Sehwag added.
“Now that you are a selector, you have to look to the future. You have a job to do. Use it properly and don’t give favours. The selectors have to take that tough step,” Sehwag said.
Pakistan’s players have already returned home to Pakistan after their early exit from the T20 World Cup. Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi may be rested for the home Test series against Bangladesh in August. They will be in a transitional period as the PCB awaits word on the fitness of four young fast bowlers who are seen as potential replacements for the national team across all formats.
Among the pitchers who are currently undergoing rehabilitation or awaiting their respective surgeries to sort out their injury issues are Ifsanullah, Mohammed Wasim Jr, Arshad Iqbal and Zeeshan Zamir.
