Inzamam Quits as PCB Selector Over Allegations

NewsPakistan
By Farah Mahmood

Inzamam-ul-Haq Resigns as Pakistan Chief Selector: Twisting Tale of Allegations

The world of cricket, especially in Pakistan, has always been more than just a game. It’s a narrative filled with twists, emotions, and, sometimes, controversies that can rival any theatrical plot. The latest chapter in this ongoing saga sees Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, stepping down from his role as the chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), amid swirling allegations of conflict of interest.

The Heart of the Matter: A Company, A Conflict?

At the centre of this whirlwind is a UK-based company called Yazoo International Ltd. Inzamam, along with three others including Talha Rehmani, a notable player agent, were active directors of this company. Rehmani, notably, is the managing director of Saya Corporation, an agency representing some of the luminaries of Pakistan cricket such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan.

In a fascinating turn of events, Rizwan himself also appears on the directorial board of Yazoo, alongside Inzamam. The company secretary, adding another layer to this complex narrative, is Intisar-ul-Haq, Inzamam’s brother. All these appointments were made on 7 December 2020, but none of this was in the public domain when Inzamam assumed the mantle of Pakistan’s chief selector earlier this year.

Raising the Bails: Questions of Propriety

The optics, one must admit, don’t look ideal. The core of the issue lies in whether it’s fitting for a national selector to hold a stake in a company where a major player agent and a cricketer subject to his selection decisions are fellow directors. This situation has understandably raised eyebrows and led to probing questions about the propriety of such an arrangement.

Inzamam’s Move: Stepping Back for Transparency

In the face of these allegations, Inzamam chose to take a step back. “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,” he stated. However, he’s left the door ajar for a possible return, asserting, “If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector.”

PCB’s Stance: Investigation and Implications

Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman, hinted at a comprehensive look into the matter. An hour-long meeting between him and Inzamam at the PCB headquarters set the stage for Inzamam’s resignation. It’s noteworthy that Ashraf didn’t pressure Inzamam to resign but did inform him about the formation of a fact-finding committee to delve into any potential misconduct.

Following this, the PCB promptly announced the formation of a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations, particularly those concerning the team selection process.

Beyond the Boundary: The Bigger Picture

This development isn’t isolated. It emerges against a backdrop of mounting disarray within the PCB, both in administration and on the field. With the PCB management committee’s tenure nearing its end and uncertainty looming over the election of the next PCB chairman, the board finds itself at a crossroads. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s on-field struggles, including a string of losses in the World Cup, add to the sense of crisis.

Wrapping Up the Innings

In the grand theatre of cricket, where every player, every official has a role to play, the script often takes unexpected turns. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s resignation as the Pakistan chief selector is one such twist. Whether it’s a brief intermission or the end of an era remains to be seen. What’s evident is that the game of cricket, particularly in Pakistan, never ceases to be anything less than utterly captivating.

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