Former Pakistan captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has been appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee for the second time. This decision comes after the post remained vacant since Haroon Rasheed resigned as chief selector last month. Inzamam-ul-Haq, who previously held the position from 2016 to 2019, now begins his second term ahead of a crucial period for the Pakistan side.
A New Responsibility for Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam-ul-Haq’s first task in his new role will be to select the squad for the three-ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, which is set to begin on August 22. Following this, he will also be responsible for selecting the squad for the ODI Asia Cup. These two squads will be announced by Inzamam-ul-Haq at a press conference on August 10. Additionally, he will be tasked with selecting the squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will take place in India from October 5 to November 19.
Reflecting on Past Achievements
Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed his satisfaction with his previous tenure as chief selector, highlighting the team’s famous victories, with the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 being the highlight. He also emphasized that a significant number of cricketers selected during his previous term continue to form the core of today’s Pakistan team. While that team was in transition, Inzamam-ul-Haq believes that the current team is stable, and he expects different challenges this time around.
Challenges Ahead
Heading a selection committee in Pakistan is already a tough job, but with the ACC Men’s Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on the horizon, followed by a tour of Australia, the task becomes even more challenging. Inzamam-ul-Haq acknowledged the difficulty but expressed confidence in his ability to deliver in this role. Despite the limited time available, he is committed to announcing the best possible squads for the upcoming tournaments.
Transition from the Cricket Technical Committee
Inzamam-ul-Haq was appointed to the PCB’s cricket technical committee last week, but his new role as chief selector means he will no longer be part of it. The technical committee, headed by Misbah-ul-Haq, was responsible for appointing the national selection committees. However, the decision to appoint the chief selector was made by the PCB’s chairman, Zaka Ashraf.
PCB Chairman’s Delight
PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf expressed his delight at having Inzamam-ul-Haq head the national men’s selection committee once again. Ashraf referred to Inzamam-ul-Haq as a legend who has served the game with dignity. He credited Inzamam-ul-Haq’s previous tenure as chief selector for bringing success to Pakistan cricket, including the ICC Champions Trophy victory and the discovery of outstanding talent. Ashraf expects Inzamam-ul-Haq’s new innings to add to the team’s accomplishments and further uncover talented cricketers.
Compensation for the Role
Unlike his position in the cricket technical committee, where he served unpaid, Inzamam-ul-Haq’s role as the chief selector will be remunerated. The PCB confirmed that a replacement for Inzamam-ul-Haq in the technical committee would be announced at a later date.
Conclusion
Inzamam-ul-Haq’s appointment as the chief selector of the Pakistan national men’s selection committee for the second time brings with it new responsibilities and challenges. With a crucial period ahead, including the ACC Men’s Asia Cup, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and a tour of Australia, Inzamam-ul-Haq is determined to select the best possible squads. His previous tenure as chief selector was marked by success, and the PCB chairman has high expectations for his new innings. Pakistan cricket fans will eagerly await the announcement of the squads for the upcoming tournaments and the opportunity to witness the team’s performance under Inzamam-ul-Haq’s leadership.