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Friday, October 12, 2007

Inzamam-ul-Haq's career in photos ~ must see ~

Inzamam-ul-Haq (Urdu: انضمام الحق) (born 3 March 1970 in Multan, Punjab Province, Pakistan), also known as Inzamam or Inzy, is a former Pakistan international cricketer who was captain between 2003 and 2007. He is a right-handed batsman who has been regarded as one of the leading cricketers in modern times. He currently plays English County Cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and has signed up to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL). On October 5, 2007, Inzamam announced that he will retire from International cricket following the second Test match against South Africa scheduled for October 8 to October 12, however at this time it's unsure whether he will even be selected

35 centuries and 128 Fifties in international Cricket (Test + ODI)

20,566 runs in (Test + ODI)

Inzamam-ul-Haq's career in photos
Born in Multan on 3 March 1970, Inzamam was a relative unknown when he was named in Pakistan's squad for the 1992 World Cup. He suggested to legendary skipper Imran Khan, the man who discovered him, that he should be left out of the semi-final against New Zealand after struggling on the lively wickets in Australia. Imran insisted he should play and the 22-year-old responded magnificently by turning a lost cause into a sensational triumph by clubbing 60 off 37 balls. He continued that form in the final against England, with a rapid 42 to help post a total that proved beyond Graham Gooch's men.

Inzamam's career: becoming a Test star
The right-hander was brought back down to earth on his Test debut in 1992, making a total of eight runs against England at Edgbaston. But he soon established himself as a force, mixing power with bravery in one of his most famous knocks. His team were in disarray on 184-7, chasing 314, in the first Test against Australia in Karachi in 1994 when he hit an unbeaten 58 to inspire a thrilling one-wicket win. He went on to destroy bowling of all types with effortless ease, making a monumental 329 in the first Test against New Zealand in Lahore in 2002 - only the second Pakistani to make a Test triple ton.

Inzamam's career: taking the lead
"Inzy" was soon recalled and showed he was a powerhouse in world cricket by hitting an unbeaten century in the amazing one-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third Test in his home town. He took over as captain when Rashid Latif was handed a five-match ban for claiming an unfair catch against the Tigers. There was instant success for the new leader, a Test series win in New Zealand in December 2003. His career was back on an upward curve and he had the prestigious task of captaining his team in the first full tour of Pakistan by fierce rivals India in 15 years when they arrived in March 2004.

Inzamam-Ul-Haq Signed & Framed Bat Display

Inzamam's career: Glory in India
The duo transformed a talented but ill-disciplined group of individuals into a fighting unit which finally found some consistency. Inzamam did come in for criticism from his mentor Imran, however, during the troubled tour of Australia, where they were trounced in all three Tests. Inzy was wounded but that was forgotten when his men fought out a creditable draw in the return series in India, with the highlight Inzamam's imperious 184 in his 100th Test, a victory in Bangalore. His star was very much in the ascendancy after a brilliant series of performances in the one-day series, which Pakistan won 4-2.

Inzamam's career: England tamed
Pakistan's next assignment was a meeting with Ashes-winning England late in 2005. The first Test in Multan was a see-saw affair that could have gone the tourists' way but they collapsed on the final day to Shoaib and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria to hand the home side a 22-run triumph. Twin centuries from the skipper followed in Faisalabad and a 2-0 series success was clinched in Lahore against a team which was starting to struggle with injuries. Shoaib, a man Inzamam had been critical of in the past, was again one of the chief architects of that and the new disciplined approach was paying dividends.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq with the trophy after winning the one-day series against India in New Delhi(AFP/Prakash Singh)

Inzamam's career: misery in England

Inzamam's career: the dark days begin
With Asif back from injury, suddenly Pakistan were competitive again and they were on top in the fourth Test when Inzamam was caught up in the biggest controversy of his career. Umpire Darrell Hair accused the tourists of ball-tampering, which infuriated the captain and his team failed to return after tea in protest. Eventually they were persuaded to come back out but Hair had already ruled that the Test had been forfeited and, despite prolonged talks, that was how it stayed for the first time in history. Inzamam was subsequently charged with ball-tampering and bringing the game in disrepute

Inzamam's career: on a downward spiral
Inzamam was cleared of ball-tampering but suspended for four one-day internationals for bringing the game into disrepute. He missed the Champions Trophy, which his team exited at the group stage, but was back to oversee a Test series win over West Indies.

Inzamam's career: Woolmer mourned
The team continued in the tournament despite talk of them withdrawing and Inzamam, who stepped down as skipper, was given an emotional farewell in his final one-day game for his country, a consolation win over Zimbabwe. But Woolmer's death continued to cast a shadow over the tournament and the Pakistan squad. Inzy was among those questioned by police and had to furiously deny allegations of match-fixing which were floating around. The skipper and his team-mates took part in moving tributes to Woolmer in Jamaica and back in Lahore, where the inquest into their World Cup failure had begun.

Inzamam's career: calling it a day
Inzamam's captaincy was criticised by the committee investigating the World Cup embarrassment but he defended himself stoutly. He declared his intention to play on in Test cricket but his days as a top-level player were numbered. A short stint in county cricket with Yorkshire was hardly a roaring success and it was announced in September that he had agreed a deal to play in the breakaway Twenty20 Indian Cricket League. And, after sitting out the opening Test against South Africa, he revealed that he would quit international cricket following the second match, to provide more opportunities for younger players.

inzy signed Bat and Gloves

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Thursday, September 13, 2007

Historic win ~Zimbabwe beats Australia~

Zimbabwe 139 for 5 (Taylor 60*, Clark 2-22) beat Australia 138 for 9 (Hodge 35*, Chigumbura 3-20) by five wickets
Scorecard

Brendan Taylor followed up an excellent evening's work with the gloves with a match-winning 60 not out © AFP

It was a night to remember for cricket fans everywhere except for Australia. Zimbabwe played out of their skins, Australia looked rusty, and, after the drama of a rain delay with Australia ahead on Duckworth-Lewis, Zimbabwe, who had been wobbling when the rain hit, edged to a memorable, wonderful five-wicket win off the penultimate delivery. Two years ago to the day Australia lost the Ashes at The Oval. This game might have lacked the importance of that one, but it was a damn sight more embarrassing for them.

And lest anyone think this was a fluke, it was not. For almost the entire game Zimbabwe were, almost unbelievably, on top. Written off by everyone other than the ICC president, Ray Mali - the bookmakers had Australia at 50-1 on - they bowled sensibly, fielded like demons and, initially, batted with wisdom. A newcomer to Newlands might be thinking that they were the world champions and the side in the skin-tight yellow and grey lycra were the no-hopers.

The hero of the chase was Brendan Taylor, a fiery character whose international career seemed to be over a month ago after the latest of many run-ins with the Zimbabwe board. He anchored Zimbabwe's response with an unbeaten 60 off 45 balls, ran singles with ease and - as Australia began to tighten their grip - thumped two sixes off the 15th over from Brad Hodge to give his side renewed belief.

And yet still Australia had their noses in front. Zimbabwe needed 12 off the last over. Taylor flicked the first ball for four past the grope of short fine leg. It came down to four off two as Ricky Ponting - who has said this format is not one he takes seriously but admitted afterwards "we've just got to start respecting the game now" - looked as stressed as anyone as he frantically marshalled his field. Nathan Bracken, so reliable, bowled full on leg stump, it brushed Taylor's pad and bobbled agonisingly slowly towards fine leg where it just had the legs to beat Stuart Clark's despairing slide. The Zimbabwe players were racing on to the pitch even before the ball hit the boundary markers.

What was remarkable was that it was Australia who crumbled under pressure. Their batting, with the exception of Hodge, lacked fluency; their bowlers were too wayward; their fielders fumbled and gave away overthrows. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, threw themselves wholeheartedly into everything.

Even though Australia's total was poor by Twenty20 standards, few expected them to lose. But they had omitted Brad Hogg and opted for a seam-heavy attack. On a suet of a pitch their pace was nullified and simply allowed the batsmen to use the speed of the ball to good effect. Zimbabwe's dobblers and gentle spinners were far more effective.

Australia, who have been out of action as a collective unit since the World Cup final on April 28, looked out of sorts, and their strokeplay was not helped by a moving ball, a stodgy pitch and a pudding of an outfield. The dismissals of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, both to Elton Chigumbura, appeared to be a minor setback, but when Ponting thick-edged a heave high to third man off Gary Brent, the situation became altogether more serious.

Such is the strength in depth of the Australians, however, they had more hitters to come, and Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey consolidated for a couple of overs and then cut loose, using their feet and scampering between the wickets.

Ecstasy as the win is secured © AFP

As their nerves eased, a brilliant pick-up and diving throw from Vusi Sibanda found Hussey six inches short. Again Australia consolidated, eating into their overs, and again they started to hit out, Hodge smiting the first six as late as the 14th over. Symonds, who persevered but barely timed one all evening, was then neatly stumped by Taylor as he overbalanced. The wobble continued.

Hodge, whose summer with Lancashire meant that his timing was never in doubt, batted with the kind of ease we expected from his team-mates. Lee offered some support, clouting a big six, before falling to Brent, the old man of the Zimbabwe side, who bowled cannily throughout. Still Australia, who mustered 139 for 9, were the favourites. Sibanda and Taylor got Zimbabwe off to a good start, Sibanda thumping five rasping fours as Taylor skillfully gave him the strike. As they reduced the target to double figures with 15 overs left, the first sign of Australian jitters became evident.

The weather added to the drama as a light drizzle started and everyone, including Ponting - consulting a tatty and increasingly soggy crib sheet - rushed to work out the Duckworth-Lewis situation.

Zimbabwe had their noses in front until Tatenda Taibu feathered a catch to Adam Gilchrist. Over the next three overs the two sides swapped the D/L lead, with Zimbabwe level going into the 11th over only for Stuart Matsikenyeri's skied heave to Gilchrist to again put them behind. Within an over the players were off and Australia appeared to have got out of jail. But the rain gods were not on their side and after half-an-hour play resumed and the final, sensational, act was completed.

Martin Williamson is executive editor of Cricinfo

Sep 12, 2007