Asia Cup 2023: Inzamam-ul-Haq Tells PCB Not To Sack Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn - Reports

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the recently-appointed chief selector of the Pakistan team, has thrown his support behind Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn. The former Pakistan captain has reportedly told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he is comfortable working with both coaches.

Earlier this year in April, the PCB had re-hired Arthur and appointed him as the Team Director in a part-time role before naming Bradburn as the head coach in May. But speculations were rife that the new PCB management under the chairmanship of Zaka Ashraf might decide to replace both Arthur and Bradburn.

Reports stated that the Pakistan cricket technical committee, which includes Inzamam-ul-Haq and Misbah-ul-Haq, won’t give a positive response on the presence of foreign personnel on the selection panel.

However, Inzamam-ul-Haq has reportedly said that he has no problem whatsoever in working with Arthur and Bradburn. The legendary batsman has played an influential role in convincing Ashraf and Board’s Technical Committee head Misbah-ul-Haq not to try to change the team management at this stage.

“It was Inzamam who gave positive feedback about Mickey Arthur and even Bradburn and assured the Chairman he will be able to work well with them and they can all do their best to select the best teams for coming events,” a PCB inside told PTI.

“It was Inzamam who once he came onto the cricket technical committee said Arthur was capable of delivering and would be with the team for most part of the Asia Cup and then wholly for the World Cup and tour to Australia so the PCB should back him,” he added.

Inzamam-ul-Haq on working with Arthur and Bradburn:

Inzamam-ul-Haq has already publicly said that he has a good understanding with Arthur thanks to working with former South Africa and Australia coach in the past. The former cricketer was the chief selector when Arthur was the head coach of the Pakistan team in the past.

“I have worked before as Chief Selector and formed a good understanding with Mickey. With the Asia Cup and World Cup coming up and then a Test tour to Australia it is going to be a challenge in the coming days for us,” Inzamam said.

Earlier this week on Monday (August 7), PCB appointed Inzamam-ul-Haq as the new chief selector. Inzamam played 120 Tests and 378 ODIs for his country. He also led the team from 2004 to 2007 before bringing down the curtains on his illustrious career.