Inzamam set to take over as Pakistan team chief selector, says PCB source

Former Test captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is expected to return as Pakistan's team chief selector, sparking rumours about the national selection committee's composition. A source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) verified to the PTI news agency that Inzamam has agreed to resume his position as chief selector, which he held from 2016 to 2019.

Misbah ul Haq, Inzamam, and Mohammad Hafeez are among the members of the Cricket Technical Committee deliberating the composition of the new selection committee.

Next week, the fate of director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn, who are presently members of the selection committee, will be determined. Their continuous membership in the committee will be evaluated by committee members.

"Members of the Cricket Technical Committee, including Misbah ul Haq, Inzamam, and Muhammad Hafeez, have been discussing the new selection committee, and it remains to be seen if Arthur and Bradburn will remain on it," a PCB source told PTI.

Captain Babar Azam will play a pivotal role in the decision-making process, as his assessment of whether the inclusion of the team director and head coach on the selection council has benefited the team will be decisive.

Misbah will present his recommendation to PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf once Babar's views have been taken into account. Based on these inputs, the Cricket Technical Committee will also finalise its recommendation for the chairman.

"Once Babar's opinion has been considered, the Cricket Technical Committee will finalise its recommendation for Chairman," according to a PCB source.

The substance of the decision is whether Inzamam will serve as the sole new chief selector or whether the entire selection committee will be reorganised. Previously, during Najam Sethi's tenure as director of the Cricket Administration Committee (CMC), a new selection committee consisting of Arthur, Bradburn, and secretary Hasan Cheema, in charge of data analysts for the Pakistan team, was established.

Notably, no other former Pakistani player was appointed to the committee, which was led by Haroon Rasheed from the previous CMC.

The decision next week is crucial, as moving Arthur and Bradburn from the selection process could potentially cause discontent, as they accepted coaching positions with the expectation that they would have a say in selection matters.

Due to his commitments with Derbyshire, Arthur has yet to physically join the team. However, he is anticipated to assume charge during the latter stages of the Asia Cup and will be available for the World Cup in India and following tour to Australia at the end of the year.

Inzamam worked with Arthur during his tenure, which included the team's successful Champions Trophy and World Cup campaigns in 2017 and 2019 respectively.