The Pakistan cricket team and the team management have faced fury from fans and former cricketers after their elimination in the first round of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat against the United States and then lost the close match against India in Group A.
However, the Men in Green managed to win their final Group A matches against Canada and Ireland, but the failure between the United States and the Irish team did not help their cause as they were eliminated from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. India and the United States qualified for the Super-8 phase of Group A.
After Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, captain Babar Azam has been heavily criticized and even accused of match-fixing, while coach Wahab Riaz has been criticized for favoritism for the team’s overwhelming performance in the tournament.
Wahab Riaz laughs at calls for resignation amid criticism over Pakistan’s exit from 2024 T20 World Cup
Amid the commotion and strong criticism on social media, a video went viral where Riaz laughs shamelessly when he was possibly asked about the criticism they were facing for the team’s miserable performance in the United States and Caribbean tournament.
In fact, at the press conference, a journalist asked the Pakistan national coach about the calls for his resignation and the criticism he has faced for the team’s biased selection after the team’s expulsion from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Before answering his question, Riaz burst out laughing.
Now, the clip has gone madly viral on social media, where fans have been criticizing the former Test pacer for his insensitivity, especially when there is a lot of anger and disappointment among the Pakistani people over the team’s embarrassing performance in the tournament.
Wahab Riaz said in his response: “Since I was little I have a habit of people saying bad things about me and I have never felt bad about it. In fact, the day they don’t troll me, my day doesn’t pass and I tell my family that I didn’t receive any messages today.”
Watch Wahab Riaz’s cheeky reaction here:
Wahab a tal mein dheet nikla 😅#PakistanCricket #Cricket pic.twitter.com/BbuXZri3rl
– Urooj Jawed🇵🇰 (@uroojjawed12) June 22, 2024
PCB to return to old selection committee structure
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PBC) plans to return to its previous selection committee structure after the failed experiment of operating without a chief selector in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Previously, the PCB had operated with a three- or four-member national selection committee led by a chief selector, but had opted for a panel of eight selectors, which also included Wahab Riaz, who had served as chief selector before the change.
On the other hand, Azam’s reinstatement as Pakistan’s white-ball captain sparked controversy, further complicated by the unexpected returns of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim after their retirement.
Amir justified his return with solid performances during the group stage of the T20 World Cup, while Wasim received criticism for his inability to lead Pakistan to victory in crucial matches.
