LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was named the new chief selector by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday with Tauseef Ahmed, Wajahatullah Wasti and Waseem Haider included in the selection committee.

While the announcement about Inzamam was made by Shaharyar Khan, the burly former batsman named the members of his selection committee during a joint news conference with the PCB chief since they were “deeply involved in domestic cricket”.

“I’m glad that he has accepted our offer and am also thankful to the Afghanistan Cricket Association (ACA) for relieving him from his role,” Shaharyar said about Inzamam, who was the head-coach of the Afghanistan side which has come leaps and bounds and recorded an upset win over eventual winners West Indies at the recent World Twenty20.

With former spinner Tauseef, former paceman Waseem and former batsman Wajahat in his selection committee, Inzamam said he had the perfect balance.

“I wanted to have a spinner, a fast bowler and a batsman in my committee,” said Inzamam. “We will try to work hard and with honesty.

“It is an honour for me to serve Pakistan in this capacity. I’m indeed very much thankful to the PCB and the ACA as well as the Afghanistan cricketers and other support staff.”

Shaharyar, meanwhile, added that the three-member selection committee will have to leave their current jobs in order to prevent any conflict of interest during selection matters.

Tauseef, Wajahat and Waseem named as seletors

While Tauseef and Wajahat are head coaches at Hyderabad and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), Waseem is a match referee.

Inzamam admitted the situation of Pakistan cricket was alarming and pleaded patience.

“No one should expect a quick fix,” he said. “But there will be good changes. First is our tour of England and we will select the best team for it.”

Asked about how he would handle the pressure exerted by PCB officials on selecting their blue-eyed boys, he said: “I hope the PCB will allow me to work independently.”

Shaharyar also said the “PCB has given Inzamam full authority to work independently”.

Inzamam added that the coach and captain would be consulted on every occasion while selecting the team.

“We are all here to support the team and I believe the input of coach and captain should be taken for team selection,” he said.

Inzamam also said the selectors will try to attend as many domestic games as possible to select the best available talent.

The 46-year-old however failed to give a satisfactory reply on how he would balance his religious assignments with cricketing ones.

“Everyone should offer prayers,” he said when asked about his preaching tours which comprise 40 days in which a person is away from worldly affairs.

On the future of all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Inzamam said that the 36-year-old was passing through a rough patch.

“Afridi had served Pakistan cricket for the last 20 years and although he is passing through a bad patch, he remains our biggest star,” he said.

Reflecting on his name being mentioned in retired Justice Malik Qayyum’s report on match-fixing, Inzamam said that he led the national team as captain four years after the report came out while he also worked abroad as a coach.

To another question, Inzamam said he wouldn’t offer any comment on the working of his predecessor Haroon Rasheed, but said he had a plan to raise a pool of players and then the coaches would work with them on regular basis to nurture their talent.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2016