Inzamam-ul-Haq overlooked for Champions Cup mentor role, here's why

Former Pakistan cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq has not been selected as a mentor for the ongoing Champions Cup, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opting for Sarfaraz Ahmed instead. Inzamam was among the candidates interviewed for the role, but the PCB ultimately chose Sarfaraz, who remains active in international cricket.

Inzamam’s exclusion comes despite his prior involvement with the PCB, though his exit as Chief Selector last year followed allegations of a conflict of interest. In October 2023, Cricket Pakistan revealed that Inzamam held shares in 'Yazo International', a company managed by his agent, Talha Rehmani. Rehmani’s agency represents several prominent Pakistani cricketers, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest while Inzamam served as Chief Selector. Following these reports, Inzamam resigned, and the PCB formed a five-member committee to investigate the issue. However, the inquiry has since stalled, and no final outcome has been made public.

For the Champions Cup, the PCB appointed five mentors, each on a monthly salary of PKR 5 million. The selected mentors are Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. The PCB, in a press release, stressed that the selection process was conducted with transparency and rigor.

While Inzamam was interviewed for the mentor position, sources suggest that the PCB faced a choice between him and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Sarfaraz’s ongoing involvement in international cricket reportedly tipped the balance in his favor, especially as he will also be playing in the Champions Cup.

Inzamam’s exclusion from the mentor role, coupled with the unresolved inquiry, raises further questions about the PCB’s handling of conflict-of-interest cases, but the board has yet to provide clarity on the matter.