Former captain wants to carry on

Inzamam keen to play on in Tests

Cricinfo staff

June 25, 2007

Not the final goodbye if Inzamam-ul-Haq can help it © Getty Images

Inzamam-ul-Haq, former Pakistan captain, wants to play Test matches for some more time before retiring "in an honourable manner."

Inzamam retired from ODIs after a disastrous World Cup and resigned from the Test captaincy. The PCB is expected to leave out Inzamam from its list of centrally-contracted players, on the basis that he is no longer an ODI player. Further, sounds coming out of the board and selection committee suggest that it may be difficult for Inzamam to find a way back into the team.

"I am not going to play for long but I do want to play a few more Tests as I think I can still contribute to Pakistan cricket," Inzamam said at a function where he was feted for his contribution to the game.

"I don't understand why they (selectors) keep on saying things about my form and fitness. Obviously if I am not fit or not in form I myself will not make myself available for selection," Inzamam said.

"But the selectors should not make such a big issue of these things. I want to play Test matches but honourably and I also want to finally retire in an honourable manner," he added.

Tauqir Zia, the former board chairman, at the same function reminded Inzamam that every player had to go someday, mindful perhaps that few Pakistan players have ever left the game graciously.

"What I would advise Inzamam is to accept whatever the board and selectors decide for him. What they decide, will be in the national interest and their decision must be accepted sportingly by him," Tauqir said.

Inzamam, who has played 119 Tests and 378 One-day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan, ruled out reversing his retirement from ODIs and said once a player retired, he should stay retired.

"It is never easy for a professional cricketer, who has represented his country for 17 years, to forget the past and adopt a new lifestyle. But I have taken my decision on one-dayers," he said.

© Cricinfo

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