Inzamam-Ul-Haq-a fine player who scored more than 20,000 runs in Tests and ODIs

Premasara Epasinghe

In my commentary career, I have commentated three times from Pakistan. The most memorable one was the 1996 World Cup Finals, when I described the first ever world cup victory of Sri Lanka when they beat Australia by seven (7) wickets on 17th March 1996. Apart from this tour in 1996, the Sri Lanka- Pakistan One Day series in 1992 is also etched in my memory. In this tour, I witnessed the heroics of that fine, stylish, huge player of Pakistan Inzamam-Ul-Haq. It was a treat to watch him. My first Pakistan tour was in 1985, and I witnessed Javed Miandad in full cry.

I have travelled widely in Pakistan. Islamic Republic of Pakistan divides into four Provinces of Balucistan, North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sind. At the foot of the Karakoram Range mountains lies Pakistan's capital - Islamabad and the city of Rawalpindi.

The river Indus and its four tributaries, namely Jhelu, Beas, Ravi and Sutlej. The area of Pakistan is 796,100 sq km or 307,374 sq miles.

One of my favourite Pakistan Cricketers was Inzamam-Ul-Haq. He was one of the most identifiable batsmen in the world.

He hails from Multan. The place was hot like an oven.

Inzamam was born on 3 March, 1970, in Multan, Pakistan. He played in 120 Tests, scored 8,830 runs in 200 innings at an average of 49.60. In his illustrious career, Inzamam scored 25 Hundred and 46 fifties. In One Day Internationals he collected 11,739 runs in 378 matches in 350 innings. He had 83 half centuries.

In the morning when I walked into the Multan grounds to commentate on SL-Pakistan ODI at a far distance I saw the entire environment covered with mist and it was slowly moving up. When I mentioned this to the Pakistan commentator he said it's not "Mist" but "Dust". The city of Multan is known as the city of Dust, Tombs and Beggars.

The part of Pakistan that Inzamam comes - Multan is so hot. I doubt very much whether, he did much exercises as a school boy. With his big frame, he concentrated more on slip fielding and became a good slip fielder rather than fielding in the outfield.

As the Pakistan captain, he did his job well and managed to bring most of the team together. Inzamam-Ul-Haq, considered that he has diverse responsibilities. In a sense, he was like a composer, First Violinist and conductor all rolled into one.

Pakistan skipper's track record was impressive. Whatever his figure, he wielded the bat like a Toothpick. For bolwers, when Inzam-Ul-Haq, stumps seems to be small. He was a strong player against pace.

I recollect very clearly, on his last Tours to Australia, he had a bad patch, scoring 2 runs in 4 Tests.

He was one of the best "Pullers" and "Hookers" I have seen. He was brave. I still remember at Rawalpindi, how he hooked and pulled Champaka Ramanayake.

Inzamam-Ul-Haq was little suspect on spinners. He was a "Bunny" for Anil Kumble. However at times, he stands tall against the spinners.He was a fine batting artists against pace bowling.

But in fast tracks in South Africa and Australia, he did not do well. But in other parts of the world he flourished. Out of his 25 hundreds in Test career, the only hundred he scored was at Hobart Tasmania.

The best line to bowl at him was to peg on slightly outside off stump. As a commentator, I noticed, that any bowler who bowls anything on middle, Inzamam liked to whip through his leg-side.

I remember that on 21st March, 1992, at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, in the semi-final against New-Zealand, Pakistan won by 4 wickets, thanks to a brilliant 60 (run out) innings played by Inzamam-Ul-Haq.

New Zealand winning the toss scored 262 for 7 in their alloted 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan scored 264 for 6 in 49 overs. Inzamam-Ul-Haq was named as the Man of the Match.

Pakistan's brilliant all-rounder, skipper Imran Khan was a Tower of strength to the entire Pakistan Team in 1992. Under his astute leadership of Imran Khan, One of the Greatest Cricketers the World has seen, Pakistan beat England at the picturesque Melbourne Cricket Grounds and annexed the World Cup 1992.

The Finals was played on 25, March 1992, at MCG. Pakistan lost 2 wickets for 24. Skipper Imran (72) in 100 balls with 5 fours, 1 six and Pakistan War Horse Javed Miandad (58) in 98 balls with 4 boundaries. Inzamam-Ul-Haq (42) in 35 balls with 4 hits to the ropes batted superbly. Pakistan scored 249 for 6 in 50 overs. England replied with 237 in 49.2 overs with Wasim Akram returning the figures 10-0-49-3.

The Right Hand Batsman scored more than 20,000 runs in Tests and ODI's, over a period of 15 years. His contribution towards Pakistan cricket was enormous.