'Today, one of them is a selector and one is in the playing XI' - Virender Sehwag points out bias in Pakistan team selection

So far, the condemnation and critique were predominantly confined to Pakistani cricketers following the exit of the 2009 T20 World Cup champions from the 2024 edition. However, criticism has also been directed towards the selectors with Virender Sehwag the latest to do so.

Addressing the topics of Babar Azam's reappointment as skipper by Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir-Imad Wasim's retirement reversal, the former Indian cricketer highlighted that the individuals who had previously criticized the team on the same channel now serve Pakistan cricket - one as a selector (Wahab) and another as a member of the playing XI (Amir).

"Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, these are two names who criticized 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)," stated Sehwag on Cricbuzz.

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He also underscored the blatant hypocrisy emphasized by the aforementioned statements, suggesting it as a primary factor contributing to Pakistan's decline. He went further by drawing a comparison between the Wahab-Amir situation and that involving Ajit Agarkar, himself, and Zaheer Khan hypothetically. He emphasized that it would be akin to Agarkar facilitating his and Zaheer's return to the Indian team solely based on their acquaintance and good relations with them.

"So, the same persons who were criticizing (Pakistan Cricket), if today they have power, became the selector, what've they done first up? 'Mohammad Amir was with me, let's select him'. It's like if Ajit Agarkar is the chairman (of the BCCI selection committee) today, he will say 'come Viru, come Zak (Zaheer Khan), I will facilitate your comeback'," mentioned Sehwag.

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You've become a selector, you've to look at the future: Sehwag 

Furthermore, emphasizing the fundamental role of a selector, Sehwag proceeded with his tirade that a selector's duty entails being forward-thinking in terms of conceptualization and ideas. He asserted that favoring individuals based on external factors contradicts the expectations placed on someone vested with significant authority.

"You've become a selector, you have to look at the future. You have a job, make the right use of it, don't do favours," added Sehwag.