Former Pakistan cricketer Wahab Riaz, who served on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee, has strongly denied allegations of threatening leg-spinner Usama Mir following his exclusion from the 2022 T20 World Cup squad.
Riaz Clarifies Usama Mir Controversy
Speaking on a podcast hosted by 24 News, Riaz outlined the events surrounding Mir’s omission. “We directly communicated with players about selection matters. No threats were made,” he said. “Usama Mir called me to inquire why he had not been selected for the World Cup. Along with Muhammad Yousuf and Azhar Mahmood, we spent 45 minutes explaining the decision.”
Riaz stated that Mir’s exclusion was based on team combinations rather than individual performance. “The decision was made collectively by the selection committee, and we explained it thoroughly to Usama,” he added.
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Allegations and Public Dispute
According to Riaz, despite the committee’s detailed explanation, Mir sent a message to PCB’s high performance and tournament director, Nadeem Khan, alleging mistreatment. “Nadeem Khan shared his message in the selection committee group chat. Each selector clarified the reasoning, and the chapter was closed on our end,” Riaz said.
The controversy intensified when Mir publicly voiced his grievances. “Usama himself admitted later that it was a mistake to escalate the matter. Even after this, we issued his no-objection certificate (NOC) as per standard procedures,” Riaz noted. “Unfortunately, his media statements created misunderstandings.”
PCB’s Role in Escalation
Riaz mentioned he had requested the PCB to issue a statement clarifying the situation, but the board declined. “This decision from the PCB added to the confusion and prolonged the matter,” he said. “Despite the controversy, our process for NOCs is straightforward—the director of international cricket consults us, and the decision to issue the NOC ultimately rests with the PCB.”
Focus on Red-Ball Cricket
During the podcast, Riaz also highlighted the PCB’s focus on red-ball cricket. “We’ve prioritized Test cricket, as reflected in our recent series against Australia,” he said. Upcoming series against South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies are viewed as crucial milestones in Pakistan’s future tour program, which is set until 2027.
Wahab Riaz’s Removal from PCB
Riaz’s tenure as a member of the PCB faced a sudden end in 2024 when Mohsin Naqvi, caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, oversaw significant restructuring within the board. His removal marked the end of a controversial and eventful period in which the PCB navigated various challenges, including high-profile selection debates and changes in administrative priorities.
