Wahab Riaz unhappy with Usama Mir's direct appeal to PCB chief: report

Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir reached out directly to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after being omitted from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

According to a local media report, in his message to Naqvi, Mir highlighted his achievement of taking the most wickets in the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, selector and senior team manager Wahab Riaz was displeased with Mir's actions.

During an online meeting with Wahab and other selectors in Ireland, Mir presented his case and had his performance reviewed.

The report further added that Mir was promised a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the T20 Blast in England, but it was later withheld. He had signed a three-year central contract with the PCB, which permits centrally contracted players to participate in two franchise T20 leagues in addition to the PSL. This restriction rendered him ineligible for further T20 leagues within his contract period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Mir was set to represent Worcestershire Rapids in the T20 Blast and had planned to be available throughout the tournament since he was not included in Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad.