Pakistan Cricket Legend Inzamam-ul-Haq Resigns as Chief Selector Amid Controversy
Former national team captain and Pakistan cricket legend Inzamam-ul-haq has offered his resignation from the post of Pakistan men’s cricket team’s chief selector on October 30. This news comes as a huge blow to the Pakistan cricket team who are currently in India taking part in the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a statement, confirmed the news. “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.
“The PCB appreciates and acknowledges Inzamam’s decision to voluntarily step down during this investigation,” the statement read.
What is the Inzamam ul-Haq controversy with PCB?
It was revealed that Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Chief Selector of the Pakistan cricket team, is allegedly a shareholder in “Yazo International Limited,” a company owned by players’ agent Talha Rehmani.
Talha Rehmani’s agency represents prominent Pakistani cricketers, including the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. This connection between the Chief Selector and key players intensifies concerns about fairness and transparency in team selection.
There is a worry that it might have created a situation where Inzamam could be influenced by his financial interests in player selection decisions.
The controversy comes at a time when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and players are embroiled in a dispute over central contracts. This adds further complexity to the situation, as the relations between the governing body and the cricketers are already strained.
“Surely, it looks like a conflict of interest. We will call the chief selector and ask him to clarify whether this news is correct or not. But it seems like if Talha has controlled seven to eight players, then he must be the one behind the selection as well. We will ask the chief selector to explain,” PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf said.
What did Inzamam ul-Haq say after stepping down as Pakistan’s chief selector?
“I have no relation (with the agency). Whoever is saying this is wrong. I want to clarify that all of these agents and their companies are registered with ICC. PCB have all their data in their database. If there is an agent to whom so many Pakistan internationals are linked then it is not possible that PCB do not have the data. They should have the data and they do have it,” Inzamam said during an interview with Samaa TV.
Basit Ali, former Pakistan international, slammed the PCB for bringing out this fiasco during the World Cup and in the media. Pakistan is currently on a four-match losing streak and only has a mathematical chance of making it to the semi-finals.
“This should have happened after the World Cup. If it was discovered (during the World Cup), then it should not have been dealt with in this way. It should have been dealt with internally and in secrecy. Inzamam is a huge name in world cricket, Zaka Sahab is also a very respected figure, but the entire thing should not have come out in the open. This only brings disrepute to our country,” he said.
Pakistan’s next match at the 2023 World Cup will be against Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31, 2023. The match will begin at 2:00pm IST.
Pakistan has a strong head-to-head record against Bangladesh in ODIs, with 33 wins out of 38 matches.
According to Dafabet, the odds for the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match at the Cricket World Cup 2023 are as follows:
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