Pakistani middle order batsman Inzamam ul Haq today quit as Pakistan test
captain and retired from one day internationals.
With his side still mourning the sudden death of coach Bob
Woolmer hours earlier, Inzamam told a news conference he was cutting back
on his international commitments, though he will continue to be available for
tests as a batsman.
Inzamam was questioned about his timing of the announcements
on such a sad day for Pakistan cricket following the death of Woolmer.
"I had a very strong attachment with the coach and I myself
felt very bad," Inzamam said. "But I had already decided anyway."
Inzamam scored only one run in the three-wicket defeat by World
Cup debutants Ireland on Saturday which ensured Pakistan's shock
exit from the competition.
They lost their first match to hosts West Indies, Inzamam
scoring 36.
The 37-year-old will be remembered as one of Pakistan's finest
one-day batsmen. He was part of the team in 1992 which secured the trophy in
Australia, beating England in the final under Imran Khan's captaincy.
He apologised his team's supporters for the shock reverse at
Sabina Park on Saturday against the Irish part-timers who Pakistan were
expected to thrash before mounting a serious challenge for the trophy.
"I can only say I am sorry to my people in Pakistan,"
he said. "We tried our best but I'm afraid the result didn't come out as
we planned."
Inzamam played 377 one-day internationals, behind only India's
Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya on the all-time list
of appearances. He scored 11,702 runs, including 10 centuries and 83 fifties,
at an average of 39.53.
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