LAHORE, Pakistan, 6 August 2003 — Discarded batsman Inzamam-ul Haq is back in reckoning for Pakistan’s home cricket season after his inclusion by selectors yesterday in the 20 probables for the series against Bangladesh.
“We never dropped Inzamam but gave him rest and hope that this rest will do a world of good to him in the coming home season,” said chief selector Aamir Sohail.
Inzamam was one of eight players dumped after Pakistan’s first round exit from the World Cup in Africa in February and March this year.
But there is no place for former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, who recently said he still wants to play for the country.
“We are focusing on players who we have used in the last four months in our transition phase,” said Sohail.
Pakistan take on Test minnows Bangladesh in the first of three Tests in Karachi from Aug. 20.
Pakistan will also play New Zealand in five one-day games in November.
Pakistan had faced a frontline players’ drought for the series against Bangladesh after express pacer Shoaib Akhtar, all-rounder Azhar Mahmood and batsman Younis Khan were allowed to skip the series.
Fast bowler Mohammad Sami was ruled out due to ankle injury which forced the selectors to call Shoaib from England where he is playing for Durham.
“We had to call Shoaib from England where he was playing county cricket to cover Sami’s injury but this is wrong that we are taking Bangladesh lightly,” said Sohail.
Inzamam said he was delighted to be back in the reckoning.
“I was a bit disappointed on being out of the team but now I am ready for the home season,” said Inzamam, who has scored 6,214 runs in 85 Tests and 8,957 in 290 one-day games for Pakistan.
