'We need to spot the right talent and the right players. I want to develop an atmosphere where the selectors, captain and coach are on the same page.'
Newly-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board chief selector Inzamam-ul Haq made it clear that he does not possess a magic wand to immediately effect a course correction in the fortunes of the national cricket team.
Urging the people to be patient with the team, he said: "I don't have a magic wand and there is a lot we need to do right in Pakistan cricket to build a strong team. Immediately, my task is to ensure we pick a balanced and confident squad for the tour to England."
Former Test spinner Tauseef Ahmed, former Test opener Wajahatullah Wasti and former Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Haider were named as the new selection committee members by Inzamam.
Inzamam said the PCB has promised to provide the committee full independence to work with freedom and without interference.
"I have told the PCB that I want total independence to work with a free mind and pick the best players and they have assured me it will be done."
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said he is glad Inzamam accepted the responsibility.
"I am very happy Inzamam accepted to take up this responsibility. Because we in the PCB have a lot of respect and regard for him and his achievements," Khan said.
Inzamam, who resigned as head coach of Afghanistan to take up the PCB assignment, also pointed out that it would take some time to put things right in the national team and domestic cricket.
"It will not happen overnight. It will take time. We need to spot the right talent and the right players. I want to develop an atmosphere where the selectors, captain and coach are on the same page, because, unless this happens there will be no turnaround in our cricket," the former great, who played 120 Tests and 398 ODIs, said.
He said he believes in giving a lot of importance to the views of the captain and coach as they are the ones who work with the players and get the best out of them.
"The captain and coach will be co-opted members but we will take them on board and I want to see all of us on same page as this will put an end to many issues confronting our cricket."
Insisting that he took up the chief selector's job as a national duty and has no intentions of leaving it soon, Inzamam said: "I have come with a clear plan and I want to see our team do well in all three formats."
This is the first time Inzamam has accepted an official position in the PCB. He replaced Haroon Rasheed as chief selector.
The PCB dissolved the previous selection committee after Pakistan fared badly in the Asia Cup and World T20.
Meanwhilie, former Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed was named the new head coach of the National Cricket Academy.
Mushtaq, who was until recently the bowling coach of the national team, has been tasked with the responsibility of running the NCA affairs.
Khan told reporters in Lahore that the Board wanted to make the NCA a separate entity so that total focus would be on cricket and players.
"We are also going to reorganize the cricket committee in the next week or so and we have decided to only have former Test players on the committee," Khan said.
He said that the revamped cricket committee which is presently headed by a senior member of the Board of Governors, Shakil Sheikh would be responsible for all cricket matters including domestic affairs.
Khan also said that the PCB has still not decided on the appointment of the new head coach of the Pakistan team.
"We have no made up our mind on whether we will have a foreign coach or a local coach. Our minds are open but we have already spoken to a few prospective foreign candidates some of whom have excused themselves because of prior commitments or because of security issues in Pakistan.
"The new head coach will be finalized in a week or two."
Khan also dismissed reports that the PCB has decided to appoint an interim coach for the tour to England.
"No such decision has been taken. What we are looking at is a long term arrangement. But we have to see that the person we choose whether he can immediately join the team or needs some time. If he needs time, then for the time being we will have to make an interim appointment."
Image: Inzamam-ul Haq
Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images
