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

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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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Sumair Ahmad is named the 2025 Champions Trophy Director by PCB.

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PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi commented on the appointment, saying, “Sumair is a highly organized professional with a wealth of administrative expertise.” He will undoubtedly give players, officials, and fans alike an amazing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, especially when combined with his unshakable love for cricket.

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Adding to the issue surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Indian government refused to allow their squad to travel to Pakistan for the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup, which is set to start in Lahore on November 23.

According to Indian media, India, the reigning champion, would not go to Pakistan to play in the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 since the government has not given its approval.

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Aaqib Javed designated as interim head coach for white-ball formats of Pakistan

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On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the hiring of former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team till the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Throughout this period, Aaqib will maintain his role as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee and will be allocated more responsibilities upon the completion of the eight-team tournament.

The PCB will commence the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, with the objective of finalising the appointment before the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place from 19 February to 9 March.

The white-ball coaching position became available with Gary Kirsten’s departure last month, prior to the current tour of Australia.

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Aaqib Javed had considerable coaching expertise, having formerly held the position of Pakistan’s bowling coach during their triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2009. Earlier this year, he served as the bowling coach for the Sri Lanka men’s squad.

Before that, he managed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in achieving ODI status and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia during his term as head coach.

Additionally, the right-arm fast bowler served as the coach of Pakistan’s Under-19 squad during their victory in the U19 World Cup in 2004.

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