Sethi backs Inzamam over selection controversy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has backed chief selector Inzamamul Haq over the selection fiasco caused over the non-selection of Fawad Alam and Wahab Riaz for the Test series against Ireland and England.

Inzamam came under severe criticism following the exclusion of the duo, especially Fawad, who once again failed to make the squad despite maintaining his stellar form in the domestic circuit.  

Sethi, while talking to media in Islamabad, explained that he has no role in the selection policy, but backed the legendary batsman and called him a specialist in his field.

“I don’ interfere in the selection process,” said Sethi. “Inzamam is a specialist in his field and I don’t believe there is any need for me to interfere.”

The chairman also hit out at the critics. “People on the outside were once selectors themselves so its ok for them to criticise. If they won’t do it, the who will listen to them?”

He went on to count all of the team’s achievements in the recent past and stated that he cannot fault them. “We are number one in T20Is, we were number one in Tests not that long ago and we had a fantastic last year in ODIs, so I am satisfied with the team’s overall performance.”

Sethi also confirmed plans to increase the number of domestic teams from eight to 10. “We are planning to increase the number of teams from eight to 10,” he said. “Our plan is to invest on players and not keep the PCB’s money in the banks. We are planning for the long term, where our focus is to invest on new players.”

Sethi also reveals that he will travel to Ireland for the nation’s historic first-ever Test, which starts on May 11 against Pakistan.

The Men in Green fared well in the longest format of the game during their last tour to the UK, drawing the four-match series 2-2 and arguably playing better cricket than the hosts, but Sethi believes it won’t be easy for them this time around as the team looks to rebuild after the departure of Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan.