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PCB accepts Inzamam ul Haq‘s resignation after public outburst against Zaka Ashraf

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1 year ago

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  • Resignation accepted after Inzamam accuses PCB of not responding to email.
  • PCB says it will announce Inzamam’s replacement in due course.
  • Board says former cricketer’s case is “under investigation”.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced it had accepted Inzamam ul Haq‘s resignation as chief selector after he slammed Zaka Ashraf for escaping responsibility and mishandling his resignation.

“Pakistan Cricket Board has accepted Inzamam ul Haq’s resignation as the chairman of the national men’s selection committee and junior selection committee and will announce his replacement in due course,” said the board in a statement.

The resignation was accepted hours after Inzamam, in an interview on Geo News‘ programme ‘Capital Talk’, slammed the PCB for not responding to his email, saying that the board is not summoning him.

The former star cricketer resigned as chief selector on October 30 following “conflict of interest” allegations against him after it was revealed that he was a partner in Yazoo International Ltd — a players’ management company owned by Talha Rehmani which represents Pakistan’s leading cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Following the revelations, the board formed a five-member inquiry committee to investigate the process and conflicts of interest in team selection.

Complaining about the PCB’s lack of response to his email, Inzamam said that his lawyer has emailed the board saying, “Summon us if you need us,” but there has been no response to the email.

“I found out through the TV that my resignation was not accepted. The board officials did not inform me of the non-acceptance of my resignation, and now they are trying to save face,” he said.

“I didn’t resign due to the performance of the team in the World Cup. The PCB constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate my issue. The PCB could have made this committee after the World Cup because I’m not running anywhere,” he added.

He also slammed Ashraf and said: “[The] board’s chairman was appointed for four months, and now an additional three-month extension has been granted. During such extensions, efforts are made to shift blame onto others. A person tries to save himself, saying that it’s not his mistake.”

Inzamam further stated that if the team is not performing well, he is willing to take responsibility and will not try to run from it.

“The PCB could have sent a message of ownership of the chief selector and captain after Pakistan lost some matches in the World Cup. This message would’ve given confidence to the team but instead, the board made a committee to investigate me,” he added

He also complained the board’s top head should have credited him for solving the central contracts’ issue which was pending for four months.

“Ashraf called me to solve the issue of central contracts. A meeting was held one day before the team had to leave for the World Cup.”

“Babar Azam and Ashraf were also present in the meeting and later the issue was solved. The PCB should have given credit to me for solving the issue which has been pending for the last four months but instead, they put the the blame on me,” he added.

PCB acknowledges Inzamam’s email

The confirmation email of Inzamam has been received, and they will respond with certainty, the PCB said in a statement later.

“The PCB’s investigations are underway regarding the conflicts of interest, and Inzamam is currently suspended. The PCB will make a decision to retain or dismiss Inzamam once all investigations are complete, and he will not be allowed to take charge until then,” the board added.

“Had we [the board] accepted Inzamam’s resignation, he would have been relieved of his duties, and the matter would have ended [right there]. Inzamam is a prominent cricketer, and the PCB respects him as he can play a significant role in the development of Pakistan cricket,” the PCB said.

“If PCB’s intentions were not right, we would have removed him [Inzamam]. The PCB’s investigations are being carried out with integrity […] Inzamam’s resignation was not accepted due to the respect shown to him.”

“A three-month extension or the four-month tenure of the PCB chairman is Inzamam’s personal opinion,” the board said in response to the former skipper’s remarks about Ashraf’s extension as interim board chief.

“To say the least, we have given everyone a free hand and no changes have been made. No cricket board in the world would be against its cricket team. Whether the team performs well or not. The board stands behind the team,” the PCB statement said while reassuring of its undeterred commitment and support for the team and management.

“It seems Inzamam does not want to continue his work himself. His case is under investigation, so we cannot say much more [and he too] should refrain from such comments regarding the investigations,” the board’s statement added.

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India’s decision not to play in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy has ICC “seeks” an explanation.

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2 days ago

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Our sources tell us that the ICC has demanded that the BCCI justify its decision with reasonable arguments that follow the guidelines set out by the organization. After reviewing the explanations, the ICC has the option to ask India to play in the event if they are not sufficiently satisfied.

After reviewing the explanations, the ICC has the option to ask India to play in the event if they are not sufficiently satisfied. A colossal loss of estimated $500 million would befall the ICC if India does not participate.

Also, an extra $100 million could go down the drain if the much-anticipated Indo-Pak matches dont happen.

These latest developments occurred as the tournament schedule remained unclear following the Indian government’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan for the event.

The schedule was supposed to be announced earlier this week by the International Cricket Council (ICC), but it was postponed due to uncertainty surrounding India’s visa to Pakistan.

I should mention that on November 9, the Indian Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) notified the ICC that India will not be going to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Sources indicate that following India’s decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board expressed their concerns to the International Cricket Council.

Requesting an explanation for the BCCI’s decision not to tour Pakistan, the PCB notified the ICC of the Pakistani government’s hard position on the subject in its letter.

It should be noted that due to the continuing political turmoil between the two neighboring countries, India has refrained from visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008 and beyond.

In contrast, Pakistan has paid four separate visits to India within the past sixteen years. Following their 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup visit, they made their most recent stop in 2016.

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Shaheen Afridi regains the top position in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

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Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has supplanted South African spinner Keshav Maharaj to ascend to the position of the number one bowler in the most recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings, released on Wednesday.

Pakistan, led by newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan, triumphed against Australia in the third ODI by eight wickets in Perth, securing their inaugural series victory in Australia since 2002.

The visitors lost the initial match of the three-match series by two wickets; however, they executed a remarkable comeback to secure the series 2-1.

As a result, Pakistani players achieved notable advancements in the most recent ICC ODI Rankings, with Shaheen Afridi regaining the premier position among bowlers.

Afridi demonstrated his bowling skill against Australia, securing eight wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 12.62, leading to a three-position ascent in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

The left-arm bowler has previously occupied the number one position momentarily during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

After his ascent, Pakistan currently occupies the first position in both batting and bowling rankings in ODI cricket, with Babar Azam reinforcing his dominance among hitters.

Azam accumulated 80 runs in three innings against Australia, being dismissed only once and hitting the decisive boundary in both of Pakistan’s triumphs.

Haris Rauf, honoured as Player of the Series, ascended 14 positions to attain his career-high 13th rank in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, with 618 rating points.

The right-arm fast bowler took 10 wickets in the three-match series with an amazing average of 12.00.

Naseem Shah, having claimed five wickets in the series, ascended 14 positions to attain the 55th rank.

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PCB questions ICC on India’s reluctance to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

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4 days ago

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dispatched a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). It requested clarification on India’s position for participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted in Pakistan.

In a formal correspondence to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay, the PCB solicited information regarding the timing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s notification to the ICC over its likely withdrawal from the event.

The PCB’s correspondence also seeks to ascertain whether the BCCI has provided an official, written denial to the ICC, detailing the rationale for the Indian cricket team’s possible non-participation. The PCB has requested the ICC to furnish a copy of any formal correspondence from the BCCI elucidating the reasoning behind their position. The PCB intends to meticulously examine these grounds to comprehend the rationale for the decision.

The ICC’s stance regarding India’s involvement

The PCB has urged the ICC to clarify its stance on the BCCI’s refusal to dispatch the team. The PCB requests clarification on the ICC’s intentions regarding the formal acceptance of India’s withdrawal and its implications for the tournament’s structure and schedule.

Strategy of PCB

The PCB has indicated its intention to seek legal counsel in light of the ICC’s statement, while also intending to confer with the Pakistani government to coordinate future steps. PCB authorities assert that should India officially withdraw and the ICC acquiesce to their absence, Pakistan may decline to compete against India in Champions Trophy matches held at any venue outside of Pakistan.

Sources indicate that PCB’s response strategy will be formulated following ICC’s official reply. The scenario underscores potential geopolitical tensions that may affect cricketing relations between the two countries.

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