Distance widens between Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and Wahab Riaz

The distance between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and senior team manager and selector Wahab Riaz has begun to widen, as per insider sources. Recently, selector Bilal Afzal has assumed a more prominent role, overshadowing Riaz in cricket consultations and discussions.

For the past few weeks, Riaz has been noticeably absent from key consultations, with Afzal taking the lead in all significant cricketing matters. This shift has been particularly evident since the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup, as Riaz and Naqvi have yet to meet since then. Furthermore, sources indicate that there has yet to be a scheduled meeting between them for at least the next two weeks.

Last week, Riaz was in Lahore, but due to Chairman Naqvi's busy schedule, contact still needs to be made. Now, with Naqvi back in Pakistan, Riaz remains unavailable as he is currently in England and is expected to return by July 20th. Adding to the complexity, another selector, Abdul Razzaq, is also in Birmingham, along with the former pacer for the Legends Cricket League.

Wahab Riaz has already submitted his report to the PCB, addressing the national team's poor performance in the World Cup. This report will likely be a focal point in the upcoming PCB Board of Governors meeting scheduled for Saturday in Lahore. 

During this meeting, critical discussions and decisions concerning the cricket team and other significant matters are expected to take place. Speculations suggest that new faces might be introduced in the team management, reflecting the board's intention to revamp the management structure.

The immediate challenge for the restructured management team will be the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, setting the stage for a crucial period in Pakistan cricket.