Inzamam-ul-Haq quits as Pakistan chief selector

Former Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has announced he will step down from his position as Pakistan’s chief selector by the end of July when his contract expires. The ex-cricketer held the position for three years, after first being appointed in 2016.

Speaking to the media, Inzamam said that he would like to continue working with the Pakistan Cricket Board, provided he isn’t involved in the selection process. With a packed international calendar in the near future, he thought it was the right time to bring new ideas to the committee.

“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,” he said. “With the ICC World Test Championship due to get underway in September and 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 Pakistan Cricket Board to appoint a new chief selector who can bring new ideas and fresh thinking.”

Inzamam’s decision comes on the back of Pakistan’s fairly successful World Cup campaign, where they finished fifth on the points table and narrowly missed out on qualification. It was a promising tournament for a relatively inexperienced squad. But, there have been some questions regarding the selection and omission of certain players in the team. The former captain admitted that he may have overlooked some deserving players during his tenure.

“The team could have performed better during my time than the results reflect and I may have inadvertently overlooked some potentially deserving players, but I have always had the best interests of Pakistan cricket foremost in my heart. I hope the passionate Pakistan cricket fans will understand and can see this in my decisions”, he said.

Inzamam thanked fellow selectors, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and head coach Mickey Arthur for their continued efforts in the right direction. The trio worked hard to shape one of the better Pakistani teams in recent times and stood together in difficult times.

“I wish the new chief of the selection committee and the Pakistan cricket teams all the best in what will be exciting but competitive times in international cricket.”