Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has thrown its support behind head coach Mickey Arthur and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq after it was reported that their contracts won’t be renewed after the World Cup.

The PCB’s comments come after a source from the board said that PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and managing director Wasim Khan are both dissatisfied with Arthur and Inzamam’s performance.

“Both are not very happy with some of the decisions taken by Inzamam and Arthur as chief selector and head coach,” the source said.

The source added that former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail is the frontrunner to replace Inzamam, while the PCB hasn’t decided whether an international candidate or a local one should take over Arthur’s job.

“Sohail’s name is top among the list of short-listed contenders. PCB’s managing director, Wasim Khan, will make the decision on new appointments for the position of the chief selector and head coach,” the source said.

The source even said that Inzamam could succeed Arthur as head coach, while Arthur himself asked about whether his contract would be extended before the national team departed for England.

“There is even a lobby in the board which has talked about making Inzamam the head coach after the World Cup,” the source said.

The source added: “Mickey was told a decision would be made later, and he should focus on the World Cup.”

However, in a statement on its website, the PCB insisted that it is backing Arthur and Inzamam as Pakistan get ready for the World Cup.

“At a time when the entire country and the Pakistan cricket fans are getting behind the national side, the release and subsequent publication of a factious story, such as this one, seems to be an attempt to derail the Pakistan cricket team’s campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup by creating unnecessary disturbance in camp,” the board said.

“The PCB has fully backed and supported the chief selector, coach and player support personnel, and will continue to do so at the upcoming tournament. The PCB further clarifies that there has been no discussion or decision on the future management of the Pakistan cricket team, which will only be reviewed following the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.”

While the statement expresses the PCB’s support for Arthur and Inzamam, it didn’t confirm whether their contracts will be renewed after the World Cup.

Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on May 31.

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