The PCB has decided not to continue with Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan batsman, as the team’s batting consultant for the tour of South Africa for which the team departed on Sunday morning. Inzamam was supposed to travel for the tour but it is understood that the PCB did not approach him.
Inzamam was appointed for the role just before the team’s short limited-overs tour of India. He helped the team prepare for the tour but did not travel to India with them due to his commitments with a TV channel. However, he was committed to go to South Africa. Even though there was no written agreement between the PCB and Inzamam over covering the South Africa series, both had an understanding to carry out the deal.
“We have engaged the services of Inzamam ahead of the India tour,” PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had said last month on appointing Inzamam. “He won’t travel to India with the team but will help the batsmen in the camp as batting consultant. He will be part of the touring unit that goes next year to South Africa.”
The PCB had planned to recruit a specialist coaches with separate people taking charge of batting, bowling and fielding, but gave head coach Dav Whatmore the additional responsibility of a batting coach. The idea was then shelved and the PCB opted to go series-by-series instead of appointing a full-time batting coach.
Pakistan will play three Tests, two Twenty20s and five ODIs in South Africa during their two-month tour, starting with a tour match between Pakistan XI and South African Invitation XI at Buffalo Park, East London from January 25 to 28.
