Being chief selector was the most challenging role of my cricket career, says Inzamam-ul-Haq

Pakistan’s outgoing chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq remarked he experienced the most challenging time of his professional career as he was subjected to “hurtful criticism” for picking nephew Imam-ul-Haq.

Inzamam, whose tenure ends on July 31, said that critics and some former players merely focussed on criticising his nephew.

“Imam, I think would not have survived for so long in the Pakistan team and international cricket if he was not a performer,” he said. “He had already played junior cricket for Pakistan and did well in domestic cricket even before I became chief selector but this fact was ignored by the critics, which was hurtful for me.”

He said: “Being chief selector has been the most challenging role of my cricket career as I was heavily criticised for my decisions and I couldn’t respond much.”

Imam has played 10 Tests and 36 ODIs for Pakistan and his selection has often been criticised by ex-players. The former captain and batting mainstay conceded that working as chief selector was been tough. Inzamam stepped down after a three-year tenure, which ended with Pakistan not qualifying for the semi-finals of the World Cup in England.

But during Inzamam’s time, Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017 and also became the top-ranked team in the ICC T20 rankings.

Inzamam said he will be involved with the sport in some capacity even after stepping down as chief selector. “I can’t leave cricket it is my passion,” he said.

Inzamam, who came under fire for going to England before the World Cup and getting directly involved in team matters, said he had flown there with the permission of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“I did my best to help them out. Our team didn’t do badly but luck didn’t favor us many times. As chief selector I did my best to pick new talent and give them proper opportunities as they are the future of Pakistan cricket,” he said.

Inzamam is tipped to get a fresh assignment when the cricket board sits down next week to review the performance of the team in the last three years. Head coach, Mickey Arthur is scheduled to give a presentation to the cricket committee next Monday.

Pakistan plays nine Tests, nine ODIs and some 16 T20 internationals in the run-up to the ICC World T20 Cup in Australia in October-November next year.