Former all-rounder Abdul Razaaq found himself in hot water after being excluded from the Pakistan Champions’ playing eleven during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final against India in Birmingham. However, what seems to bother him more is his removal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection panel.
Razaaq, along with his ex-teammate Wahab Riaz, was dismissed from the PCB selection committee following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, where the team failed to advance past the group stage after losses to India and USA. Although allegations of favoritism were leveled against Razaaq and Riaz, both players have vehemently denied such claims.
The focus of a talk show on a Pakistani TV channel, which Razaaq joined from Birmingham, centered around the WCL final between India and Pakistan. Ahead of the match, Razaaq was humorously questioned by former Pakistan pacer Sikander Bakht about any support or prize money promised by the PCB if they defeated India.
Razaaq’s tongue-in-cheek response – “Letter aaya hai termination ka” (received termination letter) – generated laughter among the panel and social media users.
Razaaq also addressed the allegations against him and Riaz, reiterating that the team selection for the T20 World Cup was a collective decision made by the committee. “How can I influence the other selectors while picking the team?” he defended.
Despite the off-field controversies, Pakistan Champions ultimately fell short in the WCL final against India champions, losing by five wickets. Led by Yuvraj Singh, India successfully chased a target of 157 runs with Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, and Gurkeerat Singh Mann playing pivotal roles in the victory.
World Championship Of Legends, 2024 Final | India vs Pakistan Champions | Highlights