Tag: Inzamam-ul-Haq

Former Pakistan captain and legendary cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq on Monday stepped down as Chief Selector of the Pakistan Cricket Team, sources told.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, in an interview with a local news channel, revealed that he wanted to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf but the latter did not meet him.

The development comes after media reports circulated, claiming that the former cricketer was one of the stakeholders in a player’s management firm, named Saya Corps, in respect to the “conflict of interest”.

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Meanwhile, Inzamam-ul-Haq clarified his decision to step down as the chief selector.

“We are cricketers and we are available all the time to serve the country. Since I am facing an inquiry, and as the nature of my job is, I should step down and let them conduct the probe,” the former captain said.

“I am a human and it hurts. I have a 20-year cricket career during which I represented Pakistan. I am not someone who people don’t know. When such allegations are levelled, it hurts.”

He further said he has no relations with any players’ agent firm.

“I must tell you very clearly that such companies are recommended by the ICC and PCB has all their data,” he added.

In response to Inzamam’s statement, Zaka Ashraf has clarified that he was unable to meet the former cricketer due to his unavailability in the office premises at the time.

“I was not present in the office, so how could I meet Inzamam-ul-Haq,” said the PCB chief.

“I respect Inzamam a lot. I am available to meet whenever he wants,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PCB, minutes after Inzamam’s resignation, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share that it had formed a five-member fact-finding committee to “investigate allegations in respect of conflict of interest”.

“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set up a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations in respect of conflict of interest reported in the media pertaining to the team selection process,” PCB stated.

“The committee will submit its report and any recommendations to the PCB Management in an expeditious manner.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set up a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations in respect of conflict of interest reported in the media pertaining to the team selection process.

The committee will submit its report and any recommendations to the PCB…

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 30, 2023

 

Inzamam-ul-Haq was appointed as the chief selector on August 7, which marked his second tenure in this position. He had previously served as the chief selector from 2016 to 2019, for a period of three years.

READ: Pakistan squad holds practice session for must-win Bangladesh clash

LAHORE: Inzamam-ul-Haq has been appointed as the Chairman of the Junior Men’s Cricket Selection Committee, while he continues to lead the senior selection committee.

The four-member senior selection committee comprises Tauseef Ahmed, Wajahatullah Wasti and Wasim Haider. The seven-member junior selection committee includes Aamer Nazir, Javed Hayat, Mahmood Hamid, Naveed Latif, Salman Ahmed and Sanaullah Baloch.

The first assignment for the junior selection committee is to select the Pakistan U19 squad for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka U19. Sri Lanka U19 are scheduled to arrive in Karachi on 12 October to feature in one four-day and five 50-over matches.

Previously, Inzamam-ul-Haq was appointed chief selector of the senior national men’s team for the second time in August.

His appointment came at a crucial time as his selection committee was tasked to select squads for the Asia Cup 2023, as well as the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 in India.

Inzamam-ul-Haq took over the position previously held by Haroon Rashid, who resigned last month. The former captain previously held the position from 2016 to 2019.

During his first tenure, his selected team won the 2017 Champions Trophy under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed, while in the 2019 World Cup, they missed a spot in the semi-final due to the inferior net run rate.

Pakistan team’s director Mickey Arthur was the national head coach during Inzamam’s last tenure.

The PCB’s Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), led by Misbah-ul-Haq, suggested the former captain’s name to the PCB Management Committee chairman, Zaka Ashraf.

READ: Bowlers-led Pakistan crush Netherlands to script triumphant World Cup start

LAHORE: Inzamam-ul-Haq, the national chief selector announced a 15-member Pakistan squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, the notable selection, however, was the returning pace-bowler Hasan Ali.

Hasan Ali returned to the Pakistan ODI squad after one year, replacing injured fast bowler Naseem Shah, who injured his right shoulder during the Asia Cup 2023 match against India. He last played an ODI match against West Indies in June 2022, where he picked up two wickets.

The head of national selection committee, Inzamam-ul-Haq justified Hasan Ali’s selection on the basis of experience and injuries to other pace bowlers.

“We were forced to make one change [Hasan Ali] because of an unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq. “Our fast bowlers are facing injuries, [Mohammad] Hasnain has an ankle injury and is out injured and so is Ihsanullah, so Hasan Ali has been included in the team on the basis of experience.”

He also explained the reason for Hasan Ali not replace Naseem Shah in Asia Cup 2023 instead of Zaman Khan.

“Hasan Ali was suffering from a finger injury at the time when Naseem Shah got injured in the Asia Cup,” Inzmam-ul-Haq explained.

Hasan Ali underwent surgery after he injured his finger while playing for Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) playoff game against Galle Titans last month. He picked up eight wickets at an astonishing average of 16.12 in the five games in the tournament.

Hasan Ali has represented Pakistan in 60 ODI games and picked 91 wickets, since his debut in 2016. He was also part of Pakistan’s squad in the ICC ODI World Cup 2019, as well as Pakistan’s successful Champions Trophy triumph under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed in 2017.

The 15-member Pakistan team will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Prior to that, they will play two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3 respectively.

READ: Mohammad Hafeez steps down from PCB Cricket Technical Committee

LAHORE: Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has been appointed chief selector of the national men’s team for the second time.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday that Inzamam, who was recently appointed to the Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), has officially taken on the role of chief selector for the men’s team.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq has been appointed national men's chief selector. pic.twitter.com/TnPdQaoXvW

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 7, 2023

Inzamam-ul-Haq took over the position previously held by Haroon Rashid, who resigned last month. The former captain previously held the position from 2016 to 2019.

During his tenure, his selected team won the 2017 Champions Trophy under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed, while in the 2019 World Cup, they missed a spot in the semi-final due to the inferior net run rate.

Pakistan team’s director Mickey Arthur was the national head coach during Inzamam’s last tenure.

Inzamam-ul-Haq’s appointment came at a crucial time as his selection committee will be tasked to select squads for the Asia Cup, as well as the ODI World Cup later this year.

Prior to that, he will also be naming the squad that will be touring Sri Lanka for the series against Afghanistan, which will commence on August 22.

The PCB’s Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), led by Misbah-ul-Haq, suggested the former captain’s name to the PCB Management Committee chairman, Zaka Ashraf. The CTC comprises former captain Mohammad Hafeez as well.

The committee is supposed to provide recommendations on cricket-related matters, including, but not limited to the overall domestic structure, scheduling, playing conditions, the appointment of the national selection committees, the appointment of national team coaches, central and domestic contracts and plans for the development of umpires, referees and curators.

Additionally, they have the authority to invite other cricket specialists and are required to provide regular updates to the head of the PCB Management Committee.

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq to lead high-profile Cricket Technical Committee: PCB 

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag spoke highly of legendary Pakistan batter Inzamam-ul-Haq and termed him Asia’s greatest middle-order batter.

Sehwag during an interview on a YouTube channel, said everyone heaps praise on Sachin Tendulkar’s greatness but Inzamam was on the other level.

“Inzi Bhai was so sweet. Everyone talks about Tendulkar but I believe that Inzamam was the biggest middle-order batter in Asia,” he stated.

Virender Sehwag continued to laud Inzamam-ul-Haq by mentioning his ability to remain composed in tense run chases where his team needed around eight runs per over.

“Tendulkar was out of batters’ league, he was above it. But, Inzamam was best in middle-order. I am talking about 2003-04 when an average of around eight was just an imagination. Teams used to panic in such situations but Inzamam at that time used to stay calm while scoring runs at an average of around eight,” he added.

Besides his orthodox batting skills, Inzamam-ul-Haq, one of his exceptional strength was his match-finishing abilities and he showcased them on multiple occasions by steering his side to glory after a tricky run chase.

Inzamam-ul-Haq represented Pakistan in 120 Tests and scored 8,830 runs at a brilliant average of 49.60, with the help of 25 centuries and 46 half-centuries.

He also played 378 matches, scoring 11,739 runs at an average of 39.52. Inzamam-ul-Haq also has 10 centuries and 83 fifties to his name amid his decorated white-ball career.

His consistent performances in the formats propelled him to be considered one of the finest batters in Pakistan.

Furthermore, Inzamam-ul-Haq is also Pakistan’s all-time leading run-scorer, having accumulated 20,541 runs across formats over the course of his 16-year-long career.

The legendary batter also served as the chief selector of Pakistan men’s cricket team and amid his tenure, Pakistan lifted the Champions Trophy 2017 title under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy.

READ: David Warner hints at retirement after Pakistan Test

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi’s honorary President Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed his complete faith in the new skipper, Babar Azam, saying he will definitely fulfil the role which is required by the team.

Babar, who is the latest edition to the Peshawar Zalmi squad, will lead the side in the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League, starting from February 13.

“With each passing Babar’s performance is getting better and better,” said Inzamam while speaking to the media during Peshawar Zalmi’s practice session, here on Friday.

“Every player no matter how great he is has his own weak links and sometimes these minor flaws remain intact throughout his career” he added.

Inzamam, however, heaped praises on Babar for his solid batting roots and termed him the best batter in every format.

“He fits in the role that we want, that is why he is picked by the Peshawar Zalmi,” he maintained.

Pakistan’s all-format skipper and Peshawar Zalmi’s incumbent captain, is the highest run-getter in the PSL with 2413 runs in 38 matches, averaging a whopping 42.33.

It is pertinent to mention PSL season 8 will kick off in Multan with a grand opening ceremony match followed by the inaugural match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and 2021 champions Multan Sultans.

Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, will play their first game on February 14 against Imad Wasim-led Karachi Kings at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s alleged ‘ball tampering’ video sparks controversy

MULTAN: Pakistan left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq revealed his connection with the city and stated that he saw his uncle – former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq play here and is now confident to follow in the latter’s footsteps.

Imam, who was born here before moving to Lahore, claimed he has many memories tied up with his city of birth.

“I grew up watching my uncle playing here at Multan Cricket Stadium. Now, it is my turn to come out here and perform,” Imam stated.

“On our way to the ground for practice, I was sharing those memories with Babar. I was born in Multan so I have a lot of memories here,” Imam maintained.

Imam, who is set to represent Pakistan for the 50th time in ODI cricket, stated that it has been a remarkable journey which also had some highs and some lows, emphasizing these contrasting times help an individual learn.

“The 50th ODI is a milestone for me. In my view cricket teaches a lot of things. There were some highs and some lows, the criticism was also there but I enjoyed that a lot,” Imam shared.

“My teammates have also done their part in making my journey a delightful one. I wish it keeps going the same way and I think an individual learns from the lows and highs of his life. I strive to become a better individual and also a cricketer,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will take on the West Indies in a three-match home ODI series. The matches will take place on June 8, 10, and 12 respectively.

READ: ‘I look forward to be the next Babar Azam’ U-19 Captain Qasim Akram

LAHORE: Pakistan’s former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan need to improve batting in the powerplay. 

Speaking exclusively in ARY News’ show Bouncer, Inzamam said Babar and Rizwan have achieved several records but they could have done more better according to their strength.

“Babar and Rizwan are no doubt, world-class batsmen, currently. They have achieved so much in the recent past together and leading Pakistan’s batting quite well. But, I think they need to improve their batting in the powerplay and later on till 10th over,” he said.

“If you take an example of our semi-final against Australia, the way Warner batted in first 10 overs, it made a major difference. In modern-day cricket, you have to be aggressive in initial overs especially in the T20 format. The first 10 overs are too crucial for any team to change the game,” he explained.

Babar’s inspiration

Inzamam refused that Babar is continuously in contact with him. “I haven’t contacted Babar throughout this T20 World Cup. I don’t know who is saying that Babar is in contact with me or I contact him, but it is untrue,” he said.

Credit to Saqlain

The former Test cricketer gave full credit to Pakistan’s interim coach Saqlain for the team’s performance in the mega event.

“Saqlain has more coaching experience than Matthew Hayden. He has done a great job with the team and all credit goes to him,” he said.

“Saqlain doesn’t like to come in the limelight to take the credit. It is his way of working and he does it so well,” Inzamam praised.

READ: Fakhar, Rizwan lead Pakistan to T20I series win over Bangladesh