The illustrious career of former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq might have come to an
end as far as the national selectors and cricket board is concerned as he has
not been recommended for the new central contracts.
Sources in the board confirmed on Thursday that the national selectors had submitted
33 names to the board from amongst whom 20 would be considered for the central
contracts and the others for a retainer ship.
"Inzamam does not feature in this list which means even
if he plays again in tests for Pakistan he will do so as a non-contracted
player," one source.
"But the very fact he is not being considered for the central contracts
which will be for a year are a clear indication as far as the selectors and
board is concerned they think his international career is over," he added.
Another source said pacer Rana Naved and all-rounder
Azhar Mahmood who went to the World Cup were also not picked in the short
list of 33 players.
Inzamam, 37, had announced his retirement from one-day internationals
and also stepped down from the captaincy after his team made a first round exit
from the World Cup after a shock defeat to the unheralded Ireland team.
But the burly batsman has made his desire to continue playing
Test matches clear.
However, a source close to the selectors said their decision
to snub Inzamam was not based on any personal judgment.
"The fact is that the board asked the selectors to only
consider those players who can play in both forms of the game which Inzamam
can't do now, so he was not considered," the source said.
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