Islamabad, Oct 31: The turmoil within the Pakistan team continues to persist, with Inzamam-ul-Haq resigning from his position as the chief selector of the national team. Simultaneously, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a five-member committee to investigate allegations of conflict of interest in the World Cup squad selection process.
The PCB on Monday said it has set up a panel to inquire following which Inzamam, a Pakistan legend and a former captain, said he would like to step aside pending inquiry.
The news is a fresh blow for Pakistan cricket, which is already going through a turbulent time with the Pakistan team in 6th spot in the standings of the ongoing Cricket World Cup, having won just two of their six matches so far.
“People speak without research. Questions were raised on me so I decided that it was better I resign,” Inzamam was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Geo News. “People are making statements without research. I told the PCB to do their research. I have no relation with the player-agent company.”
At the heart of the controversy is a player-management company called Yazoo International Limited. According to Pakistani website Cricket Pakistan “Inzamam is a shareholder in Yazoo International Limited, a company owned by players’ agent Talha Rehmani. Rehmani represents some of Pakistan’s top cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.”
With the Pakistan cricket team in trouble in India, there has been a lot of scrutiny over the team. This has led to people questioning Inzamam’s role as well (he has been chief selector since August).