Ijaz Ahmed, Pakistan Cricket Board
Ijaz Ahmed jr. returns to coach a team, confirms PCB.

Ijaz Ahmed jr. was sacked four years ago following the allegations of match-fixing by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Now, the tainted player got controversially appointed as head coach of Pakistan squad for the Asian Emerging Nations Cup. However, the tournament will be held in Karachi and Colombo in December. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s move raised several questions, but a PCB official insisted Ijaz Ahmed was already doing coaching in domestic cricket. However, after an inquiry, nothing was found against him.

Tainted Ijaz Ahmed set to return as a coach

Furthermore, the allegations included charges for partaking in the fixing a domestic T20 game. Basit Ali, an ex-Test cricketer, claimed it while commentating in a tournament. He said Ijaz Ahmed jr. had previously revealed to him that he had fixed a domestic T20 game while coaching Sialkot.

Now the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said; a subsequent inquiry had found no evidence of fixing against Ijaz Ahmed. He had played two Tests and as many ODIs during a very brief international stint in the 90s.

Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Ahmed
Ijaz Ahmed.

“The board resumed giving coaching assignments of junior teams in domestic cricket to Ejaz two years back,” – PCB

Moreover, the Pakistan team will be playing against Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong in the Karachi leg of the tournament from December 6. While India, Sri Lanka, Oman, and Afghanistan play their matches in Colombo. In addition to, India refused to tour Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council had to reschedule the tournament and organize in two different venues. The semi-finals and final of the Asian Emerging Nations Cup will be played in Colombo.

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Furthermore, Pakistani selectors have announced that wicketkeeper-batsman, Muhammad Rizwan will lead the side. It also contains a mixture of some seasoned players who had played for Pakistan and in domestic cricket.

Pakistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan cricket team.

Pakistan Emerging squad:

  • Sahibzada Farhan,
  • Zeeshan Malik,
  • Ali Imran,
  • Hussain Talat,
  • Saad Ali,
  • Khushdil Shah,
  • Saud Shakil,
  • Muhammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper),
  • Ashiq Ali,
  • Muhammad Asghar,
  • Ghulam Mudassar,
  • Sameen Gul,
  • Musa Khan,
  • Muhammad Ilyas,
  • Suleman Shafqat.