Inzamam’s tenure as chief selector costs PCB millions

Former Chief Selector Inzamamul Haq cost the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) millions, over the course of his three-year tenure as the head of the national selection committee.

According to Daily Express, Inzamam availed monetary benefits amounting to more than PKR 60 million during his stint as chief selector.  

Despite receiving a hefty paycheck every month, PKR 1.2 million, the former Pakistan captain failed to unearth new talent as promised otherwise. The Pakistan cricket team still faces a crisis in the opening, spin and all-rounder’s department.

Inzamam had a successful career as a cricketer but his stint as the chief selector is laced with failures. Many allegations including nepotism, destroying careers of many players, one-man show and foreign tours for entertainment were hurled at him. The surprising part about the former Pakistan cricket team captain was that he failed to apologise to the nation in his press conference held yesterday, like captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, but rather heaped praise on the team and termed the performance as good.

The Pakistan batting great assumed responsibility of chief selector in April 2016, for three years, but his contract was extended by three months owing to the 2019 World Cup. As per the contract, he was to be awarded 25% bonus in case of win in a series and 100% in case of winning an ICC event. On Pakistan team’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy IN 2017, he was awarded prize money of PKR 10 million by the govt.

On the other hand, the role of other selectors, in the committee, including Tauseef Ahmed, Wajahatullah Wasti and Wasim Haider was also restricted as Inzamam preferred to run a one-man show.

The former right-handed batsman was also criticised for preferring his nephew Imamul Haq over other players and making him part of the team prematurely. He was later alleged to have adopted various tactics to build the career of Imam. He was also accused of destroying the career of many crickets including Khurram Manzoor and Fawad Alam. Though Inzamam came up with claims of offering opportunities to many players, yet the fact is that most of them had already been highlighted due to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

He also came under heavy criticism over accompanying the Men in Green on every important foreign trip. Inzamam was part of the tour selection committee till Pakistan’s 2019 World Cup match against India, which kept the captain and coach unhappy. The advice that he offered to the players during the training session also did not please the coaching staff.