World Cup 2019 is on our mind: Pak chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq

Pakistan’s former captain and chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq on Saturday said that it was time for the selectors to start thinking and building a team for the 2019 World Cup.

“The World Cup is on our mind and we have to see how many of the available players can be in the national team when the tournament is held in 2019,” he told a press conference in Lahore.

He, however, ruled out any drastic changes in the team following the six successive Test defeats in Sharjah, New Zealand and Australia besides poor performances in one-day cricket which has seen Pakistan drubbed 1-4 in England and Australia and is currently languishing at number eight in world rankings.

“Obviously when the team does not perform it makes everyone sad including our former players. But it does not mean we chop and change because of this. Our main task is to keep the next World Cup in mind,” he said.

Asked about current test captain, Misbah-u-Haq, Inzamam, a veteran of 120 Tests, said that there was no doubt that the senior batsman had his own place in Pakistan cricket.

“There is no denying that he has contributed a lot but everyone has to step down at some stage of their career this is the way life is and as far as the captaincy issue is concerned that is not my domain and this is for the Pakistan Cricket Board to decide,” he said.

The 46-year-old also made it clear that as chief selector he had always listened and given priority to the views of the captain and head coach as they were the ones who had made the team perform. “Even when I was captain I also always insisted on having the team that I wanted from the selectors.”

He made the point that Pakistan needed to strengthen its domestic structure and prepare better pitches so that young players are groomed properly before being considered for the national teams.