Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Inzamam steps down as Pakistan national chief selector

Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as the chief selector on Wednesday but was open to take up any new assignment from the Cricket Board.

The under-fire chief selector told a press conference in Lahore that he would not seek an extension or renewal of his contract, which expires on July 31.


"After more than three years as chief selector, I have decided not to seek a renewal of my contract," the former skipper said.

"With the ICC World Test Championship due to get underway in September, the ICC T20 World Cup in 2020 and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, I believe it is the right time for the Pakistan Cricket Board to appoint a new chief selector who can bring in new ideas and fresh thinking.

"I spoke to PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and Managing Director Wasim Khan on Monday and conveyed my decision to them separately. I also thanked them for backing and supporting the selection committee since taking over the reins of Pakistan cricket," Inzamam, the most capped Test player, said.

A veteran of 120 Tests came under severe criticism as the chief selector for being uncertain about some selection decisions and poor planning ahead of the World Cup, where Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockouts.

Chief selector since mid-2016, Inzamam headed the selection committee that also included Wasim Haider, Tauseef Ahmed and Wajahatullah Wasti

His decision to rest captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and five other players for the one-day series against Australia in UAE before the World Cup was slammed by former stalwarts, critics and fans alike.

Inzamam claimed that the national team had come a long way since the retirements of stalwarts like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younus Khan in May 2017 and now the youngsters have grown in experience and stature.

"They are now ready to excel and perform consistently across the three formats. It has been a pleasure to see these players grow and make names for themselves in international cricket.

"I will follow their progress with interest because I firmly believe these players have all the ingredients to take the Pakistan cricket team to greater heights," he said.

Inzamam did admit that the team could have done better during his tenure and the players have more potential than their results reflected.

"The team could have performed better during my time than the results reflect and I may have inadvertently overlooked some potentially deserving players, but I have always had the best interests of Pakistan cricket foremost in my heart. I hope the passionate Pakistan cricket fans will understand and can see this in my decisions."

Inzamam insisted that he, along with captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur had worked well as a group, stayed together in difficult times and continued to collectively move in the same direction.

Inzamam, meanwhile, made it clear that he was ready to take up any new job that the PCB offered him.

More For You

driving-licence-iStock

Physical licences will continue to be issued, but the voluntary digital option aims to enhance convenience and security. (Representational image: iStock)

Government to introduce digital driving licences via smartphone app

THE GOVERNMENT is preparing to introduce digital driving licences as part of efforts to modernise public services.

Accessible through a new government smartphone app, these digital licences could be used for tasks such as purchasing alcohol, voting, or boarding domestic flights.

Keep ReadingShow less
Suspect caught after brutal attack on Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan

Suspect caught after brutal attack on Saif Ali Khan

A MAN suspected of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has been detained at Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh. Police caught 31-year-old Aakash Kailash Kannojia travelling without a ticket on the Mumbai-Howrah Express, following a tip-off from Mumbai Police.

Railway Protection Force officers spotted Kannojia in a general compartment after receiving his photo and train details from Mumbai investigators. According to reports, a Mumbai Police team is heading to Durg to confirm if he is the man who attacked Khan at his Bandra home on Thursday (16) morning.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parliament closes popular bar amid drink spiking probe

London's Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating the incident. (UK Parliament: iStock)

Parliament closes popular bar amid drink spiking probe

PARLIAMENT will shut a bar popular with lawmakers from Monday (20) as it reviews its security arrangements following an alleged drink spiking incident that police are investigating.

Strangers' Bar, located in the Palace of Westminster, is one of several bars in the parliamentary estate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eight men jailed for child sexual abuse in Keighley

All the charges relate to offending which happened in the Keighley area between 1996 and 1999. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

Eight men jailed for child sexual abuse in Keighley

EIGHT men have been jailed for a total of nearly 58 years for sexually abusing two children in Keighley during the late 1990s.

The men were convicted in two separate trials at Bradford Crown Court for offences that took place between 1996 and 1999. The victims were girls aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the abuse, said West Yorkshire Police in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Adeel Ali brings '10 Nights' to life in a powerful one-man performance

Adeel Ali brings '10 Nights' to life in a powerful one-man performance

ACCLAIMED theatre play 10 Nights has commenced another UK tour at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London, where it will be staged until next Sunday (26).

Shahid Iqbal Khan’s Olivier Award-nominated one-man play, directed by Samir Bhamra, returns by popular demand. The multi-layered story explores themes of faith, community, and self-discovery. Versatile actor Adeel Ali follows up notable film, TV, and theatre projects by taking on the lead role in the story of a man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after taking part in itikaf – spending the last 10 nights of Ramadan in quiet reflection at a mosque.

Keep ReadingShow less