Inzi Reminded Fans of His Immense Talent

Superb Innings
By SS
September 7 2003

Inzamam ul Haq was the pride of Multan as he saved Pakistan from an embarassing defeat against Bangladesh. With the help of the tail, Inzamam managed to score the 113 runs needed for victory on day 4, and led his team to a one wicket victory.

The big man from Multan spared Pakistans blushes in a pulsating test match at his home ground.

His 138 not out in the second innings and crucial partnerships with Saqlain, Shabbir Ahmed and Umer Gul enabled Pakistan to complete a whitewash which going into the fourth day, they looked unlikely to achieve. Inzamam deserves praise of the highest order given that he was under extreme pressure from his home crowd and was going into this match with his place in jeopardy after recurring failures with the bat.

Pakistan once again trailed the Benglis after the first innings of both teams were concluded, this time by a dangerous margin of 106 runs. Shabbir and Umer Gul brought Pakistan back into the match bowling the Bengalis out for only 154 in their second innings, leaving the home team a tricky 261 to win the match.

After a useful opening partnership of 45 and with the score at 62 for 1, Pakistan looked to be in control, but once again the Pakistani batsmens generosity became evident and they started to give their guests some presents. At 132 for 6 the game was all but gone and the Bengalis must have been thinking that this was the moment that they would record their first ever test victory, but it was not to be. With Inzamam at the crease Pakistani fans must have known their team were still in with a shout.

On the last day of this match Inzamam led his team to an amazing victory, scoring 95 runs out of the 114 scored on day 4.

Inzamam ul Haq will earn well deserved praise for his innings in this match, but one must note the excellent performances of both Shabbir Ahmed who finished with match figures of 7 for 138 and Umer Gul who finished with figures of 8 for 144. Both these young men asked to lead the attack without messrs Sami and Shoaib, performed admirably and got better and better as the match went on. They will both have learnt a great deal from this match and what they will have learnt will stand them in good stead for the future.

Pakistans batting struggled throughout this series against a bowling attack that is very mediocre and easy paced. With caps being thrown around to players as though they mean nothing, it was not totally surprising that low scores were being scored by the Pakistani players. A long tail, inexperience throughout the line up and players under extreme pressure meant that the Pakistani batsmen never really had the opportunity to hammer the opposition.

What must concern most Pakistani fans is what will happen with the batting line up when they face the likes of Pollock, Ntini and co. The test series against South Africa will see the new ball pairing of Shoaib and Sami return, together hopefully with Mushy Ahmed. Yousuf Youhana will be a regular during that series and Pakistan need to improve greatly if they are to provide the South Africans with any sort of competition.