LAHORE (Kashmir English): Former Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has been dropped from contention for the Pakistan Shaheens’ coaching role for their upcoming England tour, in a surprising last-minute reversal by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Initially, Wahab Riaz was the leading candidate to take charge of the Shaheens. His appointment was reportedly backed by High Performance Director Aaqib Javed, who praised Wahab’s experience and ability to groom young fast bowlers, especially in the skill of reverse swing. However, things quickly changed after news of his expected appointment leaked to the media.
Following negative reactions on social media, Aaqib Javed is said to have withdrawn his support, citing “bad timing” and the online backlash as reasons. This sudden U-turn left Wahab Riaz out of the coaching setup entirely.
Instead, the PCB offered Wahab Riaz a position on the national selection committee, a role he firmly rejected. Wahab, who previously served as Pakistan’s chief selector, said he was not willing to return to a setup where he had faced internal politics, interference from non-cricketers, and disagreements with fellow selectors, including Abdul Razzaq.
Sources close to Wahab Riaz claim he felt deeply disappointed by the decision, especially after receiving a verbal commitment from PCB officials. He had reportedly already started preparing for the assignment, which made the last-minute change feel personal and unprofessional.
With Wahab out of the picture, Imran Farhat has now been appointed as the head coach for the Shaheens’ England tour. Rehan Riaz and Mohtashim Rasheed will serve as bowling and fielding coaches, respectively. Saud Shakeel has been named captain of the squad.
This incident once again highlights the instability within Pakistan cricket’s management and coaching circles. Despite this setback, it is likely that Wahab Riaz will continue to be in consideration for future roles within the PCB or franchise leagues.
