Pakistan Cricket re-appoints Inzamam-ul-Haq as chief selector

Inzamam, 53, had earlier held the position of chief selector between 2016 and 2019. The 1992 World Cup winner had given his consent last week to become a paid selector.

FILE PHOTO: Inzamam has played 120 Tests, making 8830 runs at an average of 49.60 with 25 hundreds and 46 fifties. | Photo Credit: AP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday re-appointed the legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq as its chief selector, bringing back the former skipper for the role for a second term.

Inzamam, 53, had earlier held the position of chief selector between 2016 and 2019. The 1992 World Cup winner had given his consent last week to become a paid selector.

Inzamam has played 120 Tests, making 8830 runs at an average of 49.60 with 25 hundreds and 46 fifties. From 378 ODIs, Inzamam amassed 11739 runs at 39.52 with 10 centuries and 83 fifties. He had also played a lone T20I for his country.

In his latest role as the chief selector, Inzamam will succeed Haroon Rasheed who stepped down last month.

Some very important assignments are in front of Inzamam as his primary task will be to name Pakistan squad for the 50-over World Cup to be held in India across October and November.

“Heading a selection committee is already a tough job in Pakistan, but it is going to be more challenging this time with the Asia Cup and World Cup around the corner, followed by the tour of Australia,” Inzamam said in a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday.

“But, I know I can deliver in this role, and I will try to do better than I did the last time. Despite the paucity of time, we will announce the best possible sides.”

It may be recalled that Inzamam had picked Pakistan squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 as well. Now, the fate would have him drafting in the Pakistan squad for another World Cup four years down the line.

Apart from the World Cup, Inzamam will also have to pick Pakistan teams for Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka between August 31 and September 17, and the three-match ODIs against Afghanistan, beginning in the island nation from August 22.

“I am delighted that Inzamam-ul-Haq has agreed to head our national men’s selection committee at a crucial juncture. He is a legend and has served the game with dignity,” PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said.

“I have no doubt that his new innings will add to the laurels and bring more talented cricketers to light.”

(With inputs from Reuters)