PCB appoints Inzamam-ul-Haq as chief selector for second term

Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was earlier deemed to be leading the race to become the new chief selector of the national cricket team. Consequently, in the latest development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed the legend, the responsibility of Chief Selector for the second term, on Monday, August 7. Notably, the 53-year-old had served in the capacity in 2016 through 2019. The former world champion had agreed to take up the coveted role last week. Inzamam will succeed Haroon Rasheed, who left the post last month.

Notably, Haq has some vital tasks cut out ahead in the form of picking the Pakistan teams for two major events viz- Asia Cup 2023 and the upcoming ODI cricket world cup, respectively. Interestingly enough, during his first tenure, the former legend had picked the team for the ODI World Cup which took place in England, back in 2019. Speaking of their importance, the inter-continental event is slated to begin on August 31 and will conclude on September 17.

Now, speaking of the new set-up in the build-up, the new PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, the 70-year-old has been trying to create a new set-up for the national team and hence, the decision has been taken to bring Inzamam back into the fold. Meanwhile, the team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn are also part of the selection committee but the duo will soon be informed about their future in this committee.

On the other hand, Ashraf recently formed a Cricket Technical Committee (CTC) involving Misbah-ul-Haq, Inzamam and Mohammad Hafeez. The trio has been given the role of taking all the important decisions regarding picking members of the new selection committee to work on the overall development of Pakistan cricket. Thus, they now have the authority to decide Micky Arthur and Grant Bradburn’s future in this committee.

“The Cricket Technical Committee members including Misbah ul Haq, Inzamam and Muhammad Hafeez have been discussing the new selection committee and it is yet to be decided whether Arthur and Bradburn should remain members on it,” a source was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The source also shared an update saying that Misbah-ul-Haq will have a conversation with team captain Babar Azam and then, a final decision regarding their involvement in the selection committee will be taken.

“Once Babar's views are taken, the Cricket Technical Committee will also finalize its recommendation for the Chairman," the source added.

Pakistan mulling over role of Arthur and Bradburn in the selection committee

Meanwhile, it is believed that Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn will not be happy if they are removed from the selection panel. Notably, before they agreed to work with the Pakistan team, the duo clearly expressed their desire to have a say in the selection of the team. Thus, if the new committee decides to remove them, it can come as a boomerang. Hence, the upcoming week is considered to be a very important one for Pakistan as it can jeopardize certain things if it fails to go swiftly.