KARACHI, 26 September 2003 — Inzamam ul-Haq has been named captain for Pakistan’s five-match one-day series against South Africa next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced yesterday.
Inzamam replaces Rashid Latif, who was retained in the 16-member squad announced by the PCB despite resigning the captaincy on Wednesday.
“It has been a difficult decision to accept Rashid’s resignation because of his wonderful contributions to the young team after the World Cup,” PCB chairman Tauqir Zia said yesterday.
“But life has to go on and the good thing is he is still available for the team as a player.” Zia chaired a two-hour meeting of the selectors and board members in Lahore to discuss Latif’s resignation and appoint a new captain for the one-day series.
Latif said there had been no pressure from the board to resign as captain or quit international cricket. He told Reuters: “I only decided to continue my international career as a player after coming under pressure from my friends, fans and well-wishers.” The appointment of Inzamam, who has scored 9,195 runs in nearly 295 hundred One-Day Internationals, completes a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the right-handed batsman, who was dropped after a miserable World Cup earlier this year. The 33-year-old also replaced Latif as captain for the one-day series against Bangladesh this month, which Pakistan won 5-0.
Wicketkeeper Latif, 34, was serving a five-match ban imposed for claiming a catch he had not taken cleanly during the third Test against Bangladesh.
“(Inzamam) understands that he has a tough job on his hands and realises that not only does he have to lead the team against a tough team but also continue the good work done by Rashid,” Zia added.
“We all feel that Inzamam is a player in form and has all the ingredients to lead from the front and by example. He can be a source of inspiration for the younger players,” Zia said.
Inzamam acknowledged the importance of the position. “There will be pressure on me,” he said. “But I guess after playing for 13 years, one has to raise his hand and say yes I can handle this pressure and shoulder the hopes of millions of Pakistani people.
My approach will be positive and I think our key to success against South Africa would be positive cricket.”
Chief selector Aamer Sohail said that Rashid’s presence in the team would help Inzamam.
Zimbabwe’s Tiny Taibu Set to Make Big Mark in Australia
In Perth, Australia, Tiny though he is in stature, Zimbabwe vice-captain Tatenda Taibu looks set to make a big mark on the two-Test series against world champions Australia next month.
Taibu - scaling fractionally more than 1.52 meters (5 feet) — is an athletic wicketkeeper with an outgoing personality that is sure to please Australian crowds.
“I would say I am a middle-order batsman and a bubbly wicketkeeper with a lot to say,” Taibu, 20, said of himself yesterday as the Zimbabwe team had their first major workout of the tour at the WACA Ground, where the first Test starts Oct. 9.
“I don’t really say much to the batsmen - I just support my bowlers and fielders,” said the youngster nicknamed “Tibbly”.
The last thing he wants to do after appearing in only eight Tests is needle the powerful Australian batting line-up.
“I will certainly not be looking to get involved in a verbal war with them,” he said.
