Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, one of Pakistan's most prolific
batsmen with a record 25 Test centuries to his credit, today announced his retirement
from Test cricket, bringing the curtains down on an illustrious career spanning
over 16 years.
The second Test against South Africa beginning in Lahore on Monday will
be his swansong Test for which he has been guaranteed a place in the playing eleven.
The 37-year-old former captain told a news conference that he still had a couple
of years' cricket left in him but after much thought and with a tinge of sadness
he took the decision because he wanted to go "gracefully".
"I thought about my future a lot and although I felt I
can play for another one or two years, I think my presence in the dressing room
might put pressure on the new captain and other players, so I have decided to
retire now gracefully," Inzamam said.
The burly batsman, the mainstay of Pakistan's batting line-up
for years, scored 8813 runs in 119 Tests for an impressive average of 50.07.
He needs another 20 runs to surpass Javed Miandad's record of 8,832 runs in
124 Tests.
Inzamam had announced retirement from one day cricket following
Pakistan's World Cup fiasco in March this year and his career had its share
of controversies, including the Oval walkout against England.
"I think this is the best time for me to move on and give
the younger players a chance to cement their place. I have not taken this decision
under any pressure from anyone," he added. More PTI COR MRM AY MRM 10051753
DEL Inzamam had announced retirement from one day cricket following Pakistan's
World Cup fiasco in March this year and his career had its share of controversies,
including the Oval walkout against England.
"I think this is the best time for me to move on and give the younger
players a chance to cement their place. I have not taken this decision under
any pressure from anyone," he added.
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