The top two news that are coming in limelight today are: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made significant changes to its selection committee, sacking Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from their roles.
The decision comes after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, where they failed to advance to the knockout stages. Razzaq, who was appointed to the selection committee just weeks ago, will no longer serve as a selector for the women’s team.
Wahab Riaz, who was seen as the de facto head of the committee, had been vocal about his frustration at being held responsible for the team’s decisions. His removal is a sudden fall from grace, given his close ties with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
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The PCB has announced that it will reconstitute the selection committee, with a chief selector expected to be reappointed. The number of selectors may also be reduced, making it unlikely that Wahab and Razzaq will be replaced.
In other cricket news, New Zealand has announced its central contracts for the 2024-25 season. Four players – Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, and Jacob Duffy – have been offered their first central contracts.
Ravindra had a breakout season, scoring 578 runs in the ODI World Cup and taking his maiden Test century against South Africa. Sears and O’Rourke impressed on their Test debuts, taking 4 wickets each.
Ajaz Patel has returned to the contract list after a strong performance in the Plunket Shield. Henry Nicholls retains his contract despite being dropped from the Test side last season. Kyle Jamieson is currently undergoing rehab from a back injury and is on the contract list.
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New Zealand selector Sam Wells expressed his excitement at seeing young players like Ravindra, Sears, O’Rourke, and Duffy receive their first contracts. “These younger guys are the future of the team and it’s been encouraging to see their progress on the international stage,” he said.
The contracts come with a requirement for players to be available for both New Zealand and the Super Smash T20 competition. The PCB and New Zealand Cricket Board have both made significant changes to their selection committees in recent months, indicating a desire to shake up their teams and improve their performances on the international stage.