Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag recently criticized Pakistan selector Wahab Riaz, accusing him of favoritism that he believes is harmful to Pakistan cricket. Sehwag’s remarks were triggered by Mohammad Amir’s return from retirement and his subsequent inclusion in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, amidst criticism of the team’s performance, fitness concerns, and player selection.
Sehwag pointed out what he sees as a paradoxical situation where Riaz and Amir, who had previously criticized the Pakistan team on television, now hold influential positions within the cricket administration.
“Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, these are two names who criticized the Pakistan team on the same TV channel, giving their comments… Today, one of them is a selector (Riaz) and one is in the playing eleven (Amir),” Sehwag remarked.
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Sehwag further illustrated his point with a hypothetical scenario involving Indian cricket, suggesting that if a former cricketer critical of the team were to become a selector, they might favor their former teammates for selection, potentially compromising the team’s interests.
“So the same persons who were criticizing, if today they have power, became the selector, what have they done first up? ‘Mohammad Amir was with me, let’s select him’. It’s like if Ajit Agarkar is chairman (of BCCI selection committee) today, he will say ‘come Viru, come Zak (Zaheer Khan)’, I will facilitate your comeback,” Sehwag added.
Sehwag emphasized the importance of selectors making decisions based on merit and the long-term interests of the team, rather than personal preferences or past associations.
“You have become a selector, you have to look at the future. You have a job, make the right use of it, don’t do favours. That hard step selectors will have to take,” Sehwag concluded, urging Pakistan selectors to prioritize the team’s future and make tough decisions for its betterment.
Sehwag’s comments have sparked discussions about transparency and fairness in cricket administration, particularly in the context of player selection and team management.
