Pakistan’s World Cup Show: Chief selector Inzamam quits, board sets up inquiry

New Delhi: After winning their first two games, Pakistan have lost the next four and are on the brink of elimination.

Babar Azam’s underperforming unit only has a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semifinals, provided they win their remaining three games and some other results favour them.

Even as Pakistan prepared to face beleaguered Bangladesh at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Tuesday, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq on Monday resigned as chief selector.

Inzamam’s hasty resignation in the middle of the tournament may have been triggered by the fact that a conflict of interest came to light.

Inzamam, who sent his resignation letter to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf, is a shareholder in Yazo International Limited, a company owned by cricketers’ agent Talha Rehmani.

Inzamam’s association with Yazo has raised eyebrows as Rehmani represents some of Pakistan’s leading cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rizwan also holds co-ownership of the same firm.

There were reports of discord between PCB and the players over central contracts. The players had even reportedly mulled boycotting commercial activities during the ODI World Cup. One of the players’ demands was a share of the money the PCB received from ICC.

Inzamam mediated between players and PCB, and his intervention helped resolve the impasse, with all demands of players being acceded to.

However, Inzamam then came into spotlight as a shadow was cast over his position as chief selector.