LAHORE: Former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed has been named the chief selector for the Pakistan national cricket team after Inzamam-ul-haq’s resignation due to allegations of a “conflict of interest”.
Additionally, the cricket governing body has appointed former cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti as the head of the junior selection committee.
Tauseef Ahmed’s initial task as the head of the selection committee will involve selecting the national squad for the upcoming Australia tour, which includes a three-match Test series, following the conclusion of the ongoing 2023 World Cup.
It’s noteworthy that both Tauseef Ahmed and Wajahatullah Wasti were already members of the existing selection committee.
Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as the chairman of the national men’s selection committee and junior selection committee amid accusations of having a stake in a players’ agent firm. There were also claims that he selected the squad for the 2023 World Cup with the interests of the said firm in mind.
In a statement, Inzamam-ul-Haq said, “I am stepping down from the post to offer the PCB the opportunity to conduct a transparent inquiry about the conflict-of-interest allegations raised in the media. If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector.”
During an interview with a private TV channel, Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed his readiness for any inquiry that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may want to conduct regarding his tenure as chief selector. He resigned because questions were raised about the transparency of the selection process for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, particularly given the team’s disappointing performance in the tournament.
Aalia Rasheed, the PCB’s media head, revealed that Inzamam-ul-Haq had not informed the board about his connection with the agent, which was considered a conflict of interest. She emphasized that Inzamam had a responsibility to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the cricket body. She also mentioned that no cricket board wants to create controversy during a World Cup and face media ridicule.
The PCB has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate whether there was a conflict of interest, but Inzamam has not been removed as chief selector at this point. His resignation is yet to be accepted, and he may resume his role with the PCB if the committee clears him of any wrongdoing.
