Wahab Riaz under fire for ‘biased’ selection of Mohammad Amir

Former Indian opener Sehwag blasts chief selector for ‘favouritism’ amid T20 World Cup fallout

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has criticised Pakistan selector Wahab Riaz, accusing him of favouritism that is detrimental to Pakistan cricket.

Sehwag's comments come in the wake of Mohammad Amir's return from retirement, which saw him participate in Pakistan's lacklustre T20 World Cup campaign. This performance sparked widespread criticism from fans and former players, directed at Riaz, team captain Babar Azam, and concerns over team fitness and player selection.

Sehwag highlighted the irony of Riaz and Amir, who had previously criticised the Pakistan team on the same television channel, now being in positions of power.

"Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, these are two names who criticised 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 said.

"So the same persons who were criticising, 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 urged Pakistan selectors to avoid favouritism and focus on the team's future, making necessary tough decisions.

"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," he concluded.