Mohammad Wasim responds to Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘puppet chief selector’ comment

Mohammad Wasim has responded to former speedster Shoaib Akhtar’s comment about being a ‘puppet chief selector’.

Akhtar’s stern remarks came after he was left unhappy with the squad named by Wasim for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“The Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup will be changed. Mohammad Wasim is not a chief selector, he is just a puppet,” said Akhtar, while speaking on PTV Sports.

While speaking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, Wasim said that he respects everyone’s opinion but that doesn’t mean that they are right. 

“Shoaib [Akhtar] is a very good friend and we spend a lot of time together. Earlier, we used to do shows together but now we don’t interact in the same manner. Cricketers and analysts have their own point of view and I respect that but that doesn’t mean that they are right all the time,” said Wasim.

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He also brushed aside the notion that he was under pressure after the appointment of Ramiz Raja as the next chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“The role of chief selector is always a pressure job, no matter who is the chairman. I have not felt any pressure since his [Ramiz Raja] appointment,” he said. “Every new chairman brings a new direction with him and Ramiz bhai also gave us a clear message, to the team and us, in this regard. Following that direction and policies is part of our job. As far as the future is concerned, that is something we both can’t predict,” he said.

Wasim was also satisfied with the squad he had selected for the upcoming home series, against New Zealand and England, and the mega event. 

“We have selected the best possible squad and I’m very hopeful that this team will put up a good show in the upcoming series as well as the T20 World Cup,” he said. “Obviously, we won’t select the squad after listening to media or social media. My job is such that I can’t make everyone happy.”