Inzamam on song as batsman and captain by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 5th December 2005

 

Few thought Pakistan capable of winning their home Test series against England, but Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq changed all that.

 

The reliable batsman played a key role in his team's 2-0 victory over the Ashes-winning England side, amassing 431 runs and winning praise from former team-mate and captain Ramiz Raja.

 

"His prolific form in the England series has not only raised his stature as a batsman but also as captain because when he performs, he goads others to do well," the former player said.

 

Izamam, whose skills as captain seemed to improve throughout the series, described defeating Michael Vaughan's side as one of the highlights of his career.

 

"Winning against England is great. It is one of the biggest wins of my career," said Inzamam, who scored scored a century in each innings of the drawn second Test at Faisalabad.

 

In five Test innings, he made 53, 72, 109, 100 not out and 97 to remind Vaughan that all was well not with their bowling on slow tracks.

 

Inzamam also broke batting great Javed Miandad's Pakistani record of 23 Test centuries at Faisalabad before completing 8,000 Test runs in the final match.

 

"I don't remember I have ever been in such a good batting form. If you score for your team then it is the biggest satisfaction," said Inzamam, whose team has won 17 times during his 24 Test hundreds.

 

Although not a natural leader, Inzamam has improved considerably since taking over the captaincy in 2003, said Ramiz Raja.

 

"Inzamam may not be a born leader, but he has now established himself as a very good captain. He always keeps his cool in pressure and that helps the team," he said.

 

"Inzamam is looked upon in the dressing-room as an icon. He got the respect even when he was not captain as he was a role model as batsman."

 

Inzamam hoped Pakistan could build on its England success for the future.

 

"We have been doing well in one-dayers, but our performance in Tests needs to be lifted. I see the England success as a big step forward," he said.

 

"Our coach (Bob Woolmer) has been very supportive. Whenever a player has a problem he goes to Woolmer, who does his best to solve it."

 

Inzamam said his team's aim was to do well against India in Test and one-day series at home early next year.

 

"We have tougher tasks ahead and need to be on our toes. Winning the one-day series (against England) is very important and then Test and one-day series against India, so we need to keep the momentum," he said.

 

Pakistan take on England in the first of five one-day internationals here on December 10.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)