Inzamam-ul-Haq Resigns as Pakistan Chief Selector

Inzamam-ul-Haq has resigned from the post of Pakistan cricket team chief selector amidst conflict of interest chatter and Babar Azam and Co.’s horrible performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup in India. Pakistan team has lost their last four matches and its chances of qualifying for the semifinals are now very slim as they have to rely on other team’s results apart from winning all their remaining matches. Inzamam also faced allegations of conflict of interest.

The PCB on Monday announced that Inzamam has relinquished the position of chief selector.

“Inzamam-ul-Haq has resigned as the chairman of the national men’s selection committee and junior selection committee. He was appointed as the chairman of the national men’s committee on 7 August 2023 and was also appointed chairman of the junior men’s selection committee earlier this month,” he added.

“I am stepping down from the post to offer the PCB the opportunity to conduct a transparent inquiry about the conflict of interest allegations raised in the media. If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector,” Inzamam said in a statement.

The former Pakistan captain was re-appointed as Pakistan chief selector in August prior to the World Cup. However, Pakistan’s recent performance in the tournament has put him under the scanners.

As per reports, Inzamam had a stake in the player’s management company that handles Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan among others which is a major conflict of interest considering the former captain’s position as the chief of the selection committee.

After Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan, PCB released a statement where they suggested that skipper Babar and chief selector Inzamam were given freedom to select the squad for the World Cup 2023.

“Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board’s stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023,” the PCB stated.

“Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team’s performances in the World Cup. At present, the PCB encourages fans, former players and stakeholders to rally behind the team as they strive to make a triumphant comeback in the mega-event,” the board said in a statement.

Nothing worked in Inzamam’s favour since he was reappointed as the chief sector as Pakistan were knocked out from the Super 4 stage in the Asia Cup and things didn’t look good for the team in the ongoing World Cup 2023.

Legendary batter Inzamam led Pakistan in different stints from 2001 till 2007. He scored 11,739 runs in ODIs which is the most by any batter from Pakistan. While the right-handed batter amassed 8,830 Test runs in 120 matches at an average of 49.60 and scored 25 centuries and 46 half-centuries.

Earlier, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez also relinquished his post from the PCB technical committee after the meeting that was called to review the team’s poor show in Asia Cup 2023.