Former Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has recently voiced strong criticism against ex-PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, attributing the national team’s lackluster performance in the 2023 World Cup to Ashraf’s alleged interference in team matters.
In a candid interview with a local news channel, Inzamam expressed his discontent with comments made by Ashraf regarding the team selection process. The former chief selector asserted that Ashraf’s claim – stating that the World Cup squad was chosen solely by the captain and chief selector – created a negative mindset among the players.
“In an important event like the World Cup in India, hearing that the PCB chairman is saying the team selected was not done by the board but by the captain and chief selector only creates a negative mindset among the players,” Inzamam remarked, as quoted by PTI.
The 2023 World Cup witnessed Pakistan finishing in fifth place on the points table, securing only four victories and suffering five defeats throughout the tournament. In the aftermath of the tournament, concerns were raised about potential conflicts of interest involving Inzamam, particularly his alleged shareholding in a company owned by Talha Rehmani, who serves as the agent for Inzamam and other prominent players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.
The PCB responded to these concerns by forming a five-member fact-finding committee tasked with investigating allegations of conflict of interest related to the team selection process. Inzamam acknowledged the ongoing scrutiny, stating that he has been waiting for the committee’s report.
Interestingly, Zaka Ashraf recently resigned as the chairman of the PCB management committee, and significant changes have unfolded within the board since the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup.
