Inzamam 'happy' with performance

Published August 1, 2004

LAHORE, July 31: Pakistan skipper Inzamamul Haq expressed his satisfaction at the team's performance in the Asia Cup and did not see any need for drastic changes.

Inzamam, while talking to reporters on Saturday after arriving with nine other members of the team from Sri Lanka, blamed the point system for Pakistan's ouster.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the final after they lost a bonus point against India.

"I could not understand the point system as it allows India to play final despite losing two matches but barred Pakistan which were defeated just once," he said.

He justified the decision of elevating Shoaib Malik to No 3 position and added that neither he nor Yousuf Youhana were afraid of playing at that position.

"We have to stabilize the team and all the decisions are aimed at the achievement of this end," he said.

He was all praise for paceman Shoaib Akhtar. "Shoaib fought from the core of heart and I did not see him such a fighter ever before."

He admitted that Pakistan should not have lost the first match of the Super League to Sri Lanka. "Except for that match, the team played well."

About conceding excess number of extras, he said the responsibility rested with the bowlers, not the coach or the captain.

He said that a training camp would be held here from Aug 13 for the three-nation tournament involving Pakistan, India and Australia in Holland from Aug 23.

Inzamam arrived along with Youhana, Shoaib Malik, Yasir Hameed, Abdur Razzaq, Rana Naveedul Hasan, Shabbir Ahmad, Imran Nazir and Imran Farhat.

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