Inzamam-ul-Haq has been appointed chief selector of Pakistan cricket team. Former Pakistan captain, Inzamam was the head coach of Afghanistan since October 2015, and was contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board until December 2016. The PCB, however, requested the ACB that he be released from his contract early.
After dismal performance by Pakistan cricket team in Asia cup and World T20, it was expected that Pakistan Cricket Board would go for some certain changes. Head Coach Waqar Younis was made to quit and ads in newspapers published by PCB in search of new head coach. Selection committee was also asked to leave. While search for head coach continues, inclusion of Inzamam as chief selector was lauded by many including the ex coach Waqar. Inzamam would be playing the duties of a selector for the first time for Pakistan. Previously he had worked as Pakistan’s batting consultant for some time during 2012-2013. Three former players’ spinner Tauseef Ahmed, all-rounder Wasim Haider, and opener Wajahatullah Wasti will help Haq as members of his new selection committee.
During six months coaching of Inzamam, Afghanistan won one-day and Twenty20 series over Zimbabwe and qualification for the main rounds of the World Twenty20. Not only this, Afghanistan won over eventual champions the West Indies in the group stages. Inclusion of Izamam, a veteran cricketer under 120 Tests and 398 ODIs under his belt, is indeed a welcome move by PCB. He is the highest run-scorer in ODIs with 11,739 runs in 398 matches, and its third-highest in Tests with 8,830 runs in 120 matches.
We hope vast experience of Inzamam would help in finding the formidable combination of players to form future Pakistan team.
PCB should let Inzamam work independently, with authority and without any external pressure.
