Inzamam hits back at critics on cash-award row

Pakistan’s chief selector expressed disappointment with the flak he received for accepting the national government’s cash incentive.

Inzamam-ul-Haq... “The selectors should be given credit for their work.”

Pakistan’s chairman of selection committee Inzamam-ul-Haq on Saturday slammed critics who questioned the decision of the government to award him Rs. 10 million for the Champions Trophy triumph.

The questions raised by former players is due to the gulf in the incentive received by Inzamam compared to his colleagues in the selection committee. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the special Rs. 10 million cash prize to Inzamam and a million each to his fellow selectors at a reception held for the Champions Trophy winning squad in Islamabad earlier this week.

“We didn’t ask to be given these awards. But it is disappointing, it is being made into an issue for no rhyme or reason,” an angry Inzamam said. “The selectors should be given credit for their work. Teams picked by this selection committee drew Test series in England last year, won a series in the West Indies for the first time in 70 years and now also lifted the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Inzamam reminded critics that it was his committee that suggested Sarfraz Ahmed be made captain. “It was the selection committee which had suggested to the cricket board to make Sarfraz the captain of the national one-day side,” he added.

A former chief selector Mohsin Khan had advised Inzamam to combine the amount given to him and selectors and distribute it equally among the selection committee. “There is no justification for giving such a huge amount to the chief selector. It makes no sense; he is getting double the amount given to head coach, Mickey Arthur,” Mohsin said.