PCB reject Mickey Arthur and Inzamam-ul-Haq contract claims

Reports in Asia yesterday stated that they had decided against extending the contracts of South African Arthur and former captain Inzamam

The Pakistan Cricket Board has rejected claims that it is due to part ways with head coach Mickey Arthur and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Reports in Asia emerged yesterday stating that the board had decided against extending Arthur and Inzamam's contracts, which were due to expire at the end of the World Cup.

However, in a statement the PCB refuted these claims, which it described as "factually incorrect" and "baseless", and confirmed that their positions will only be reviewed after the tournament in England and Wales.

The statement read: "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.

^{Inzamam's signed a three-year contract with the PCB in 2016}

"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."

The reports also suggested that the PCB had already sounded out a replacement for former captain Inzamam in former opener Amir Sohail, who served as chief selector between 2002 and 2004.

Arthur became Pakistan head coach in May 2016, his third stint in charge of an international side, while former captain Inzamam signed a three-year contract with the PCB in the same year.

The pair were therefore part of the setup that saw Pakistan lift their maiden Champions Trophy in 2017 by beating India by 180 runs in the final at the Oval.

Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against West Indies on Friday, May 31 at Trent Bridge.

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