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| December 4, 2005 | Sunday | Ziqa’ad 1, 1426 |
We played as one unit, says jubilant Inzamam
LAHORE, Dec 3: Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq claimed on Saturday that the magnificent 2-0 victory over England was not the biggest in his 13-year international career but one of the best.
Inzamam was addressing a press conference after Pakistan won the third and final Test by an innings and 100 runs to wrap up the series.
Pakistan had earlier defeated England in the first Test in Multan by 22 runs.
“Pakistan have a number of good wins in the last 13 years but the way our bowlers and batsmen played like a single unit is most important for me and it played a vital role,” remarked Inzamam, who earned his first Test series win as captain.
“I had been looking for a Test series win and by the grace of Allah the day has come,” the jubilant skipper added.
Asked how much he was satisfied with the performance of paceman Shoaib Akhtar, who took 17 wickets in three Tests, Inzamam pointed out that the bowler was improving day by day and he delivered at the right time.
“In fact, Shoaib is an unplayable bowler whenever he gets into rhythm,” he added.
However, Inzamam stressed, the credit went to all the bowlers including leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, Rana Navedul Hasan and Mohammad Sami.
“No doubt, Shoaib has been bowling with full commitment in the series and that is most important and a good sign,” Inzamam stated.
Asked what was the main difference between the two teams, Inzamam said though England were a tough side but the team spirit showed by the home team made a major difference.
“The bowlers fought from the core of their hearts and the batsmen delivered in demanding situation and that turned the team into a good side,” he specified.
He said that nothing special happened after lunch in which England lost eight wickets quickly within a hour.
“The bowlers were bowling well before lunch but unluckily they failed to get any wicket, but after lunch they struck successive blow proving they have the abilities of changing the situation at any time,” he said.
He pointed out that one-day series would be another hard challenge as England had the abilities to stage a comeback and Pakistan had to work harder.
“I think we have to produce our best again to meet the new challenge of England in the One-day series and every player will have to deliver to maintain the winning streak,” the captain said.
Inzamam felt the team still had to improve in all the three departments, especially in fielding.
Shoaib Akhtar said that every bowler bowled well and he only tried to give his best and play only for the country.
“Unfortunately, I had missed the last two series against India and the West Indies, and I was hoping to stage a comeback in the team and thank God I was able to serve the country,” Shoaib said.
One of the world’s fastest bowlers, Shoaib did not agree that he was the only match-winner stating, “to me Mohammad Sami, Rana Navedul Hasan and Danish Kaneria all have the potential to turn the match at any stage”.
However, Shoaib did agree that the current lot had not that kind of bite in bowling as like that of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
“Wasim and Waqar were great bowlers and definitely to meet their calibre is not an easy job,” he said.
Commenting on his slow deliveries which helped him confuse the England batsmen and also gave him wickets, Shoaib explained that he had been bowling slow deliveries two years ago but he did not know why he had given up that type of bowling.
England captain Michael Vaughan specially praised Shoaib’s pace and technique of slow deliveries.
Asked how he rated Inzamam as captain, Shoaib said that he had done a tremendous job as captain and he was improving day by day.
“I think after Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, now Inzamam was the best captain,” he said.
Shoaib suggested that Pakistan should dedicate the win to the victims of Oct 8 earthquake in Pakistan.
He disclosed that he continued his bowling despite swelling on his ankle. But he added the injury was not very serious.
Vaughan admired Shoaib’s pace, besides slow balls, and said the bowler was the major difference between two teams in the last Test.
“The hostile 90mph speed and removing well set Ian Bell (92) and slow balls by Shoaib Akhtar had really done good job in Pakistan’s victory,” he said.
Vaughan said that local condition played role but England’s batsmen also failed to keep passion on crucial stages and lost wickets.
“We started the day well with Bell and Collingwood were on their way to draw the match but again the batsmen faltered and England lost eight wickets quickly soon after lunch,” he said.
He also praised Inzamam’s batting in the series but added Shoaib was more dangerous.
Vaughan said that England would meet Pakistan in the one-day series with determination to salvage pride by winning the series but it was a fact that everyone had to work harder.
He admitted that the next year’s series in India would be tough and the boys had to face similar kind of local condition there.
He said that the absence of leg-spinner Ashley Giles on fitness ground, was felt but since the bowler was not fit no one could do any thing.
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf said that Giles had not been much effective on this tour as compared to his last trip to Pakistan in 2001.
“England could have been a more dangerous side had Giles bowled the way he had bowled in 2001,” Yousuf said.
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