April 01, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1428

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LAHORE, March 31: Pakistan’s captain for World Cup 2007, Inzamam-ul-Haq on Saturday accepted full responsibility for his team’s dismal show at the mega event in a crowded press conference here before lashing out at the media for its lack of support at crucial times.

"We prepared ourselves well for the World Cup and went with high hopes, but unfortunately our performance was disappointing for which I would like to take the responsibility,” said the burly Multan-born batsman. “But look at the way the press treated us after the ouster," he complained. "They went about tarnishing our images as if we were not Pakistanis or had done nothing for Pakistan cricket in the past.”

"I am certain that Pakistan cannot win any major tournament if such hostile criticism continues," said the visibly perturbed former skipper. "If the press gave us 10 percent support during the previous series, we needed at least 50 per cent more in the Caribbean.”

Refusing to accept the many allegations hurled at him regarding his dictatorial ways of running the team affairs, Inzamam said he never imposed any decision on the selectors, late coach Bob Woolmer or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"About Bob Woolmer I woud not like to make any comment since he is no more among us. As far as the selectors are concerned, I have been working wih them for the last three and a half years but they have not raised any such allegations. It is only because I am on the losing end today that everyone is trying to put the blame on me," lamented Inzamam.

Grilled for his throwing his weight behind the appointment of former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad as assistant coach, Inzamam replied: "It was not my decision to bring in Mushtaq, the previous set-up of the PCB (Shaharyar M. Khan) also picked him in the team," he clarified.

He also denied his role in the ouster of old friend and colleague Waqar Younis as bowling coach prior to team’s South Africa tour, emphasising that the decision was taken entirely by the PCB.

Commenting on the sensitive issue of growing religious influence in the team, Inzamam dispelled the impression that most players focussed on preaching rather than the game.

"Except offering prayers jointly, the players have no involvement in other religious activities," he explained.

Refuting the recent match-fixing allegations that followed Pakistan’s defeat to minnows Ireland and caught on with the death of Woolmer, Inzamam said there had been no sign of the foul practice in Pakistan cricket for the last couple of years and the allegations only resurfaced after team shocking defeats in the World Cup which were part of the game.

“No one is ready to take the match-fixing allegations seriously, specially when they are coming from someone like Sarfraz Nawaz,” he said with a wry smile.

Confronted with the remarks of his mentor Imran Khan who dubbed him as a defensive captain and criticised him for his reluctance to bat at the No 3 position, Inzamam said he never consistently batted at that position during his long career.

"Out of my 378 ODI matches I have hardly ever batted at that position,” he said. “Furthermore, Younis and Yousuf have been performing well as No.3 and No. 4 batsmen so it would not be fair to disturb the well set players for my own preferences."

Lashing out at the sub-standard pitch prepared for the Kingston match against Ireland, the burly batsman said, "I have my reservations over the pitch against Ireland and the one prepared at Mohali for us against South Africa in last year’s ICC Champions Trophy as both were not suitable for one-day cricket. It is your job now to work on this issue," he said.

Asked what prompted him to stick around for the Tests despite calling it a day in the ODIs, Inzamam, 37, said he believed he still had the potential for the five-day format.

Cornered by some frank observations made on his current physical condition, Inzamam said there was nothing wrong with his fitness and he felt confident about carrying on in the Tests. He added that he would have no qualms about playing cricket under other players’ captaincy.

He also assured the media about his utmost cooperation with future Pakistan captain.

He said though it was board’s prerogative to appoint the next captain, Younis Khan was the best choice for the post. He paid rich tributes to late Woolmer, calling him a professional man who genuinely cared for the players.