Inzamam-ul-Haq to step down as Pakistan chief selector
Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has announced his decision to step down from the post of chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the end of his current tenure.
The 49-year-old does not wish to seek a renewal of his ongoing contract, which runs until July 30.
“After more than three years as chair of the Pakistan men’s selection committee, I have decided not to seek a renewal of my contract,” Inzamam said in a statement.
“With the ICC World Test Championship due to get underway in September, the ICC T20 World Cup in 2020 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, I believe it is the right time for the PCB to appoint a new chief selector who can bring new ideas and fresh thinking.”
Inzamam took over the role in April 2016 following a stint as the head coach of the Afghanistan national team. Having previously worked as Pakistan’s batting consultant, Inzamam wasn’t initially appointed on a fixed tenure, but was later handed a contract that ran until the end of the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
During his two-year term, Pakistan’s notable achievements included climbing atop the ICC Test rankings for the very first time in 2016. The very next year, they clinched the 2017 Champions Trophy in England – their first major ICC silverware since the 2009 T20 World Cup triumph.
Since then, Pakistan continued to infuse promising youngsters in their line-up, including the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Imam-ul-Haq, among others.
During Inzamam’s tenure, Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy in England
“It has been a pleasure to see these players grow and make names for themselves in international cricket,” Inzamam said. “I will follow their progress with interest because I firmly believe these players have all the ingredients to take the Pakistan cricket team to greater heights.”
The 2019 World Cup campaign, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, turned out to be Inzamam’s final assignment for Pakistan. The side finished fifth on the points table, and, despite a late resurgence in the tournament, could not manage a semi-final spot.
PCB chairman Ehsan Mani thanked Inzamam for his role as selector. “Inzamam is one of the icons of Pakistan cricket who has served his country passionately both as a player and as a chief selector,” Mani said. “During his tenure as chief selector, we have seen the emergence of many talented young cricketers.”
