Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq to leave for South Africa ahead of the ODI series

Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq loves spending time with the national team in the middle of a tournament or series. The former batsman was in the UAE in September after Pakistan failed to impress in Asia Cup. And now, Inzamam was set to fly to South Africa on Monday night to be with the team and discuss the prospective Pakistan team for the World Cup in England and Wales in May-July with captain Sarafraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur.

The visitors lost the third and final Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg by 107 runs on Monday to squander the three-match series 0-3. This was the Asian side’s second successive loss in Tests after the stunning 1-2 defeat against New Zealand in the UAE before the South African tour.

Chasing 381 to win the match and salvage some pride, the Pakistani batsmen resumed from their overnight score of 153 for 3 on Day 4 and were all out for 273. Ahmed’s side failed to cross 300 runs even once in the three-match series.

Focus now on the ODI series

The focus now shifts to the ODIs and Pakistan will be playing the hosts in a five-match series starting January 19. The Men in Green are ranked fifth in the ODIs as per the ICC’s list and it will take some special effort on their behalf to replicate a Champions Trophy (2017)-like success in England this year.

Pakistan have won the World Cup once when the current Prime Minister, Imran Khan, led them to lift the trophy in Australia in 1992, beating England in the final. They also made the final of the mega event played in England in 1999 but lost to Australia by 9 wickets. Wasim Akram was the captain on that occasion and Inzamam was a key member of that side.

The reports in Express News revealed that Inzamam-ul-Haq will spend two weeks in South Africa with the team and discuss about the tactics in the lead up to the World Cup.

Chief Selector Inzimam Ul Haq is leaving for South Africa tonight to discuss the formation of Pak cricket team for the World Cup with Micky Arthur and Safraz Ahmed,he will spend two weeks in SA.

— Mirza Iqbal Baig (@mirzaiqbal80) January 14, 2019

Pakistan’s recent records in the ODIs have been mixed. While they have beaten teams like Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe 5-0, they themselves have been walloped by sides like New Zealand (5-0) and India (twice in as many games in Asia Cup) while their last ODI series against the Black Caps were drawn 1-1 with one match getting washed out.

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