After a month of deliberation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq as the new chief selector. The post has been vacant since last month when Haroon Rasheed quit the job. It's worth noting that Inzamam is already part of the PCB's technical committee, and he might have to leave that post to join as chief selector.
Notably, it will be Inzamam's second term as chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team, as he has served in this position from 2016 to 2019. Inzamam's first task will be to announce Pakistan's squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and the ODI Asia Cup 2023. Both of these tournaments will be played in Sri Lanka from August 22 onward.
It has been learned that Inzamam will discuss selections with the head coach and team director to announce the squad before forming a multi-member selection committee. He will address a press conference on August 10 to announce the squad for the upcoming tournaments. The biggest task for Inzamam will be to select the match-winning squad for the ODI World Cup in 2023.
PCB chief bypassed the technical committee to appoint Inzamam-ul-Haq
According to the news reports, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zakar Ashraf directly appointed Inzamam to this post. Earlier, the technical committee consisting of Inzamam, Mohammed Hafiz, and Mishbah-ul-Haq was tasked with appointing a new selection committee. However, PCB informed me that the decision has been taken by the board president rather than the committee.
Now, the board will announce a replacement for Inzamam in the technical committee as Pakistan is set to host the Asia Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy 2025 in the next couple of years. It's worth noting that the job on the technical committee is unpaid, while the chief selector will receive a salary. Meanwhile, Inzamam will also need to address the salary issues of players before announcing the squad.
Here is how fans reacted to the appointment of Inzamam-ul-Haq:
They'll still lose to India in the World Cup
— Dr Nikhil Jain | SEBI RA (@iamMarketWiz) August 7, 2023
PCB: He is your king now... pic.twitter.com/NPhOxVEaFm
— Dr. Ajayita (@DoctorAjayita) August 7, 2023
Arey inshaallah boys played well OG guy
— Archer (@poserarcher) August 7, 2023
Wasn't he before also?
— Fantasy Cricket Pro 🏏 (Viren Hemrajani) (@FantasycricPro) August 7, 2023
Before decision pic.twitter.com/VtgL6MTRKo
— not needed (@studhubc) August 7, 2023
Imam ul haq 's opening position is fixed now
— Wickets Hitting (@offpacedelivery) August 7, 2023
If you show this image to a neutral he /she may think the selection is going on for ISIS / Al Qaeda 😭😭
— Em! (@Insane__Emi) August 7, 2023
Iam UL Haq appointed as a captain of PCT
— Harbhajan Turbanator (Parody) (@77thHundredwhnx) August 7, 2023
He was the one who selected Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imam ul Haq in the team and gave them consistent chances. He is criticized for putting Imam in team but it sorted Pakistan's opening issues. A man who respects captain and gives him full control to select them
— Sports syncs (@moiz_sports) August 7, 2023
Sacked after 2019wc and 4 years apart he is there again bfr wc.
— Rishabh (@Rishabh_1815) August 7, 2023
India Pakistan cricket politics are hard to decode.
That's what you called a cheap selector .
— Y/S!R^ (@Lofted_driv) August 7, 2023
He will select imam ul haq for 2024 T20 World Cup
— A.Ashwal (@Ashwal7A) August 7, 2023
Aap Indian Cricket ke liye koi new dhundho yah kam ki nahin hai bhai Ganguly Ganguly kam Ke Nahin Hai Koi acche se Slater dhundho
— Kumar.Kelash (@kelash_mk) August 7, 2023
now he will include his grandson 😂
— Umar (@umer_afzal56) August 7, 2023
Kudrat ka nizam loading inshallah 🤲🏻
— . (@driveXscoop) August 7, 2023
Advantage GOAT Rohit Sharma's home country 🇵🇰
— . (@driveXscoop) August 7, 2023