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| Inzamam-ul-Haq won't quit and will play more! |
| By From our correspondent KINGSTON, Jamaica: Inzamam-ul-Haq slept over his future as an international cricketer on Saturday night after enduring 'the worst day' of his life that saw Pakistan crumbling to a bunch of part-timers from Ireland on their way to a embarrassing first round exit from the World Cup. The veteran batsman is so much in love with professional cricket that he would rather be stretchered out of a ground than call it quits but still one was expecting he would announce his retirement or at least resign as Pakistan captain. The responsibility of leading Pakistan cricket to their worst ever defeat should have easily overshadowed his desire to carry on. But there was no such announcement. Inzamam was as usual evasive when asked what the future would hold for him after the World Cup disaster. "I've yet to get any time to think about my future," was Inzamam's response each time he was asked whether he would continue playing for Pakistan. Inzamam is already 37 and is in the twilight of an international career that spans over more than 15 years. He has been inconsistent as a batsman in recent seasons and has failed to inspire a team had several world class players. Most critics back home believe he is the man responsible for the Pakistan's early exit from the World Cup and are calling for his scalp. He is expecting drastic changes in Pakistan cricket in the days to come but it seems the man is hoping he would somehow fit in the new picture. "We have played poorly so changes will be there and I think they are needed too," he said choosing not to go into anymore details. In the pre-tournament hype, Inzamam had declared that he wanted to end his long affair with the World Cup like the Australian legend Steve Waugh who led his side to a memorable triumph in 1999 in England before retiring. But for Inzamam, his fifth and final World Cup, ended in the worst possible manner. However, he was philosophical about it. "You can't get everything you want," he said. "Every player has to go some day. I've played my innings, and you can't really choose the way you leave," he explained. Inzamam is a man who has a habit of making excuses. He even managed to offer some meek defences for his team's unbelievably poor outing against Ireland. "Luck didn't favour us. Losing the toss was a huge setback because it was a difficult wicket to bat on," explained Inzamam. "The Irish bowled really well too," he remarked. Inzamam did not blame anybody for the defeat saying that the entire team just flopped. When asked if Mohammad Yousuf's dismissal at a critical juncture could be termed the biggest reason for their defeat, Inzamam did not agree. "Yousuf was set, and we needed a big score from him. But when everyone has flopped, it's not right to pinpoint any one player's performance as the turning point," he expressed. A hostile reception is in the store for Inzamam and his men when they return home in a few days time. But Inzamam was still able to mumble a funny one-liner when asked what sort of reception he is expecting when the team returns to Pakistan. "I don't there would be any reception," he said. Inzamam praised the Irish for the outstanding performance against Pakistan saying that they have proved that no team can be taken lightly in the World Cup. "Ireland played a good game of cricket and my best wishes are with them," he said. Today's fixtureS Group B: Bermuda v India at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad (6:30pm) Group D: West Indies v Zimbabwe at Sabina Park, Jamaica (7:30pm) Match start timings today (Monday) are according to Pakistan Standard Time |
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