Veteran Indian batter Virender Sehwag publicly criticized the hypocrisy in Pakistan cricket after their early elimination from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Babar Azam’s team faced heavy scrutiny for failing to advance past the group stage of the major ICC tournament. Their upset loss to the non-Test playing USA team was a harsh reality check, and they also crumbled under pressure against arch-rivals India, resulting in an embarrassing group stage exit.
Babar Azam reappointment as Pakistan‘s captain has been a topic of debates. Additionally, the sudden retirement U-turn by Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim has sparked controversy. In a conversation with Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief selector Wahab Riaz for including Amir in the squad, months after the two were seen lamenting the Pakistan team during the ODI World Cup 2023.
“There are 2 guys; Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir openly ridiculed the national team, while being on the same TV channel. Today, the dynamic has shifted – Riaz is now a selector, while Amir is selected in the eleven,” he remarked.
In 2011, Amir was involved in spot-fixing and received a ban. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2021. However, following a change in PCB leadership, Amir reversed his decision and opted to return to the Pakistan national team.
“Those who previously criticized Pakistan cricket have now gained power and become selectors. Their first action was to select Mohammad Amir, simply because he was associated with them. It’s akin to Ajit Agarkar, if he were the BCCI selection committee chairman, saying “Come Viru, come Zak, I will do something for your comeback,” regardless of merit,” he added.
“As a selector, you must consider the future. Use your position wisely and avoid making favors. Selectors will have to take the tough call,” he stated.
Following their early elimination from the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan national team has returned home. Key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi may be rested for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh in August.