Inzamam-ul-Haq lashes back at critics

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave a special 10 million cash prize to the chief selector of the national cricket team Inzamam-ul-Haq and a million each to his fellow selectors at a reception held for the Champions Trophy winning squad in Islamabad earlier. There was severe criticism after the reward of 10 million rupees for Inzamam. Former chief selector Iqbal Qasim remarked that the move made no sense. Another former chief selector Mohsin Hasan Khan failed to understand the logic behind the move.

Inzamam responds 

Inzi hit back at the critics who slammed the incentive awarded to him in comparison to his colleagues. “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. 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.

The former Pakistan captain also reminded the fact that it was the selection committee which made the masterstroke decision of suggesting Sarfraz Ahmed’s name as 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.

Accusation by the critics

Earlier Iqbal Qasim had said, “It makes no sense to give the chief selector such a huge amount while the head coach and other coaching staff have got five million rupees each for the Champions Trophy win. Then why this disparity between the money given to the chief selector and other selectors.”

Another former chairman of selectors Mohsin Hasan Khan in an interview remarked, “And when have chief selector’s ever been rewarded with cash prizes if the team has done well. The same money could have been used for better development purposes,”

He also made the point that there was no justification in giving such a huge amount to Inzamam considering he got double the amount given to Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan coach during the victorious Champions Trophy campaign.