Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam ul Haq has resigned following allegations of a “conflict of interest”.

• The PCB forms a five-member inquiry committee.
• Inzamam is said to be a member of the players’ management company.
• The former chief selector was “saddened” by such complaints.

Pakistan cricket team’s Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq on Monday resigned from his position amid the 2023 World Cup following allegations that he was a partner in a player management company.

“People speak without investigation. Questions were asked about me, so I decided it was better to resign,” Inzamam said in a statement according to Geo News.

There were allegations that Inzamam acquired shares in a company owned by the players’ agent Talha Rehmani. That revelation sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given that Rehmani represents several of Pakistan’s top cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Additionally, there are additional questions about whether Inzamam’s dual role as both chief selector and shareholder in a company that represents top cricketers can influence player selection decisions.

The development comes as the Pakistan team, on the verge of exiting the World Cup in India, is already under fire and the board is also embroiled in a controversy after PCB chief Governor Babar Azam’s private conversation with a top board official . .

In the statement, Inzamam – who was appointed to the post in August – said he was available if cricket launched an investigation.

“People are making statements without investigation. I have told the PCB to do its investigation. I have nothing to do with the player-agent company,” he clarified.

Inzamam, who served in the same post from August 2016 to July 2019, said he was “saddened” by such allegations. “I told the council that if they had any doubts, they should investigate.”

In a statement later released by the PCB, Inzamam was quoted as saying: “I am resigning from the post to give the PCB an opportunity to conduct a transparent inquiry into the allegations of conflict of interest made in the media. If the committee finds me I am not guilty, I will continue my role as chief selector.”

In response, the PCB said it has set up a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations of conflict of interest reported in the media regarding the team selection process.

“The committee will submit its report and any recommendations to the PCB Management in an expeditious manner,” the board’s brief statement said.

What is the role of the company?

Geo News Journalist Sohail Imran reported that the company is involved in negotiating contract terms for the players.

He added that the agent’s role is not to lobby, but includes signing players to franchises, getting them roles in commercials and making them brand ambassadors for an organization.

The journalist reported that when the player manager gets a stronghold on the issues and the athletes associated with them become famous, then they start dictating the board.

“That’s what we saw in the central contracts,” he said, adding that sources told him that Inzamam played a key role in bridging the gap between the players and the PCB and increasing the players’ salaries.

It is also alleged that Inzamam favors players associated with the players’ management company. “And yes, the company acts like a power group.”

Razzaq answers

“In my view, Inzamam ul Haq should not have resigned. A person resigns when he is guilty,” former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq said Geo News.

He said that if Inzamam was not involved in the company, then he should have stayed and let the investigation proceed.

“If I have not done such a thing, then why should I leave the job? His resignation may be temporary and he may rejoin,” he said.

He noted that he had never worked with such a company. “I also don’t understand the need [these companies]. Certainly, agents benefit the most from this. Their PR also increases.”