12th Oct 2007, yet another memorable moment in the cricket world. Inzamam-Ul-Haq One of the greatest batsmen of my generation has bid adieu to cricket. Sixteen years of illustrious career came to an end in the midst of emotional breakdown from everybody all over the cricket world.
Inzamam a.k.a Inzy stormed into the cricketing world with a blistering, aggressive innings against New Zealand in the semi final of 1992 world cup. The young Inzy thumped bowlers all around the park bringing the team home out of dire situations and eventually added the jewel in the crown of glory in the form of world cup. Since then he stamped an unforgettable mark on the history of Pakistan cricket. He gave a new definition to middle order batting skills. His role was often rescuing the team from a disastrous crumble. Consolidation and construction were his pets. He pulled through the Pakistan from umpteen numbers of embarrassing predicaments. His innings to pull off the thrilling victory against Bangladesh with the aid of tail enders was an inspirational fight. Even though it sounds silly to praise his skills against Bangladesh, but given the conditions and his temperament and the dreadful patch he was going through at that time that could very be one of the brightest innings of his career. Other than that there are many more innings to talk about, his triple century against Kiwis, consecutive centuries against England, fighting half century against Ozs to bring team home, and more than couple of brilliant knocks against India, its just a mammoth list of sheer brilliance and vividness.
Like in any other field, his career also has ups and downs. But in all those circumstances, he was always nonchalant, obliged and of course witty. One of the real lows his career when he was dropped from the team after a terrible display in 2003 world cup but he bounced back strongly and proved his irremovable presence on the Pakistan cricket. The other low might be the early exit from 2007 world cup of pak. He couldn’t repair it though, but it remained as a small blemish amid the long, radiant, dazzling career.
On the whole, I was most fortunate to witness some immaculate batting displays by Inzy. He was with one of the best safe pair of hands in the slip cordon. Without him, it would be a Herculean task for Pakistan cricket board to fill those long, hard shoes. I hope he will have a peaceful and successful retirement life.
Inzamam a.k.a Inzy stormed into the cricketing world with a blistering, aggressive innings against New Zealand in the semi final of 1992 world cup. The young Inzy thumped bowlers all around the park bringing the team home out of dire situations and eventually added the jewel in the crown of glory in the form of world cup. Since then he stamped an unforgettable mark on the history of Pakistan cricket. He gave a new definition to middle order batting skills. His role was often rescuing the team from a disastrous crumble. Consolidation and construction were his pets. He pulled through the Pakistan from umpteen numbers of embarrassing predicaments. His innings to pull off the thrilling victory against Bangladesh with the aid of tail enders was an inspirational fight. Even though it sounds silly to praise his skills against Bangladesh, but given the conditions and his temperament and the dreadful patch he was going through at that time that could very be one of the brightest innings of his career. Other than that there are many more innings to talk about, his triple century against Kiwis, consecutive centuries against England, fighting half century against Ozs to bring team home, and more than couple of brilliant knocks against India, its just a mammoth list of sheer brilliance and vividness.
Like in any other field, his career also has ups and downs. But in all those circumstances, he was always nonchalant, obliged and of course witty. One of the real lows his career when he was dropped from the team after a terrible display in 2003 world cup but he bounced back strongly and proved his irremovable presence on the Pakistan cricket. The other low might be the early exit from 2007 world cup of pak. He couldn’t repair it though, but it remained as a small blemish amid the long, radiant, dazzling career.
On the whole, I was most fortunate to witness some immaculate batting displays by Inzy. He was with one of the best safe pair of hands in the slip cordon. Without him, it would be a Herculean task for Pakistan cricket board to fill those long, hard shoes. I hope he will have a peaceful and successful retirement life.
Alwidaa, Inzy…
No comments:
Post a Comment