The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's appointment as the country's men's chief selector. While reports had already suggested that Inzamam could take over as the selector, the official announcement has come from the country's cricket governing body on Monday (August 7). "Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq has been appointed national men's chief selector," PCB's official social media handle wrote along with a picture of the ex-cricketer.
It is pertinent note to note that this is not the first time that Inzamam will assume office as the chief selector of the Pakistan men's cricket team. Before this, he had already served as country's lead sector from 2016 to 2019. He comes back at a crucial juncture ahead of the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup later this year. Interestingly, Inzamam had announced the Pakistan squad which took part in the 2019 ODI World Cup. The marquee ICC event is set to commence on October 5 this year with the Men in Green slated to begin their campaign on October 6 against the Nethrelands.
In a recent interview, former India cricketer Virender Sehwag rated Inzamam-ul-Haq as the best-ever middle-order batter from Asia. Sehwag elucidated Inzamam's approach to cricket during the early 2000s, highlighting his fearless style of play. Sehwag also justified his preference for Inzamam over the renowned Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, asserting that although Tendulkar stood out as exceptional, Inzamam emerged as the optimal choice among the available alternatives. Sehwag emphasized that Inzamam possessed the unique quality of remaining composed and undisturbed, even in situations where the required run rate was high.
He played 120 Test matches, 378 ODI matches and a solitary T20I in his career scoring 8830, 11739 and 11 runs in them respectively. Among his best knocks is his 60 off 37 balls in the 1992 ODI World Cup semifinal against New Zealand which Pakistan won by 4 wickets before eventually going to beat England in the final. That remains their only ODI World Cup triumph to date.