Former Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq on Saturday presented his resignation as coach of the Afghanistan cricket team and is likely to make another comeback for Pakistan, but this time as chief selector.
“We have received Inzamam’s resignation through e-mail,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chief Shafiq Stanikzai said.
Talking to ESPNcricinfo, Stanikzai said, “Today Shaharyar Khan called me and asked a favour to release Inzamam as they are keen to hire him.
“Although he was in contract with us until December this year, we are patriotic people and if Pakistan needs Inzamam for their own country, we are ready to release him.”
According to sources, a formal announcement regarding Inzamam’s appointment as chief selector is expected to be made by the Pakistan Cricket Board soon.
Earlier it was reported that PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan had a detailed meeting with Inzamam at his residence the other day.
“Shaharyar offered Inzamam the chief selector’s position and also agreed to some points raised by the former captain,” an official said.
The official added that Inzamam, who was being paid around $12,000 by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, was agreed to be given ‘considerable authority’ and a ‘suitable financial package’ by the PCB.
Inzamam has been able to produce some decent results for Afghanistan after he joined the team last year with former Indian pacer Manoj Prabhakar on his side.
The Multan-born cricketer got a contract extension after his team’s ODI and T20 series triumph against the full member Zimbabwe side.
Under Inzamam, Afghanistan recorded their famous win against West Indies at the recently concluded World T20.
Earlier, Inzamam and PCB were not able to cut out a deal due to authority and financial remuneration issues when the batting great applied for a coaching-cum-batting consultant role.
Former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis on Friday also forwarded support to PCB’s decision to appoint Inzamam as chief selector for the national team.
In a series of tweets, the 44-year-old praised PCB for implementing his suggestions which he gave post 2015 World Cup. The PCB is on the hunt for a new head coach after Waqar Younis stepped down before his contract expires in May, after Pakistan’s dismal performances in recent months.
Waqar stepped down from his post as the head coach on April 4, after Pakistan presented a dismal performance in the Asia Cup and the World T20.
