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Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam-ul-Haq Image: Wikimedia Commons. paddynapper / CC BY-SA 2.0

Syed Inzamam-ul-Haq SI (Urdu: سید انضمام الحق; born 3 March 1970), popularly known as Inzi, is a former Pakistani cricketer who served as captain of the Pakistan national cricket team from 2003 to 2007. Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen Pakistan has produced, he is celebrated as one of the finest middle-order batsmen of his era. A right-handed batsman, he also bowled occasional left-arm spin.

Key facts

Full name Syed Inzamam-ul-Haq
Date of birth 3 March 1970
Nickname Inzi
Honour Sitara-i-Imtiaz (SI)
Country Pakistan
Role Middle-order batsman; occasional left-arm spinner
Captain, Pakistan 2003–2007
International retirement 2007
Chief Selector, PCB April 2016; reappointed August 2023 (resigned 2023)

Background

Inzamam-ul-Haq emerged on the international stage during the early 1990s and went on to become a mainstay of Pakistan's batting line-up across both Test and One Day International (ODI) formats. He is the only Pakistani batsman to have scored 20,000 runs in international cricket. He was the leading run scorer for Pakistan in ODIs, and the third-highest run scorer for Pakistan in Test cricket.

International career

Inzamam first rose to prominence in the semi-final of the 1992 Cricket World Cup, in which Pakistan went on to win the title. He remained one of the team's leading batsmen through the 1990s in both Tests and ODIs.

In 2003, he was appointed captain of the Pakistan national cricket team. His tenure ended following Pakistan's early exit from the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Later in 2007, he retired from international cricket after the second Test match against South Africa, finishing three runs short of Javed Miandad's tally as Pakistan's leading run scorer in Test cricket at the time.

Indian Cricket League

After retiring from international cricket, Inzamam joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL). He captained the Hyderabad Heroes in the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 competition. In the second edition of the ICL, he captained the Lahore Badshahs, a team composed entirely of Pakistani cricketers.

Administrative roles

In April 2016, Inzamam-ul-Haq was appointed chief selector of the Pakistan national cricket team. He was again appointed chief selector in August 2023, before resigning later the same year.

Personal life and faith

Inzamam-ul-Haq is a prominent member of the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary organisation, and continues to be an influential figure in Pakistani cricket.

Timeline

  • 1970: Born on 3 March.
  • 1992: Rose to fame in the semi-final of the Cricket World Cup; part of the Pakistan squad that won the tournament.
  • 2003: Appointed captain of the Pakistan national cricket team.
  • 2007: Captaincy ended after Pakistan's early exit from the World Cup; retired from international cricket after the second Test against South Africa.
  • 2007–2008: Captained Hyderabad Heroes and later Lahore Badshahs in the Indian Cricket League.
  • 2016: Appointed chief selector of the Pakistan national cricket team.
  • 2023: Reappointed chief selector in August; resigned in 2023.

Significance

Inzamam-ul-Haq's career bridged a transformative period for Pakistan cricket, from the 1992 World Cup triumph to the mid-2000s. As both batsman and captain, he provided continuity to the middle order and leadership during a competitive era of international cricket. His subsequent administrative work as chief selector extended his influence on the Pakistani game well beyond his playing days.

References