October 14, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 1, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 13: Former Pakistan cricket greats paid tribute on Saturday to retired batting master Inzamam-ul-Haq, saying the former skipper would be difficult to replace.

“Inzamam’s performance is part of history,” Javed Miandad said.

“He was a world-class player whose replacement will be hard to find in the near future,” he said.

Inzamam fell agonisingly short of topping Miandad’s Pakistan Test runs record in his final international appearance on Friday, against South Africa.

The 37-year-old Inzamam was dismissed for three in his last Test innings, finishing his career on 8,830 career runs, three short of a new record.

Despite his dismissal, Pakistan fought hard to salvage a draw against South Africa who won the two-Test series 1-0.

Miandad said failing to break his record had not diminished the batsman’s outstanding 17-year career that included 25 hundreds in 120 Tests.

“What matters is Inzamam’s show of respect for me and his extraordinary demeanour in this era when jealousy and disrespect prevail,” said Miandad, who played alongside Inzamam between 1991 and 1996.

“A player like Inzamam is only born in centuries and his performances were proof of that,” said Miandad.

“I was expecting him to break my record. I would have been happy if he had done it, because I have had a teacher-student relationship with him.

“Given his service to Pakistan cricket and the quality player that he was, he deserved the record. I enjoyed watching him bat.”

Miandad, who captained the side when Inzamam made his debut in 1992, said it was a sad reflection on the state of Pakistani cricket that it was not producing more players of his stature.

“We need to look at our system and ensure we groom more quality batsmen for a better future.”

The batsman from Multan stepped down as captain and quit one-day cricket after Pakistan’s humiliating first-round exit in the World Cup this year.

Coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room the next day, sparking a police investigation and media frenzy that left the team and Inzamam in particular shellshocked.

Inzamam was captain last year during one of cricket’s most extraordinary episodes when Pakistan forfeited the fourth Test against England for refusing to play after being penalised for ball-tampering.

But former team-mates said his batting skills, rather than controversy, will be Inzamam’s legacy. Wasim Akram said he rates Inzamam alongside Indian great Sachin Tendulkar and West Indian legend Brian Lara.

“Inzamam was right up there. He may not be as consistent as Tendulkar or Lara but he matched them in class. The lazy elegance, the craft and the guile were all treats to watch,” said Wasim.

Wasim pointed to the 1992 World Cup semi-final when Inzamam was vomiting through illness and thought himself incapable of playing.

“Our captain Imran Khan convinced him to play and the rest is history,” said Wasim of the match in which Inzamam smashed a 37-ball 60.

He then scored a 35-ball 42 to help Pakistan beat England in the final.

“Inzamam made his mark and became one of Pakistan’s top batsmen for nearly a decade. I was a great fan of his batting,” Wasim said.

Inzamam will be missed not only by Pakistan but fans worldwide, he said.

“He was famous around the world so I am sure he will be missed by the fans all over the world,” said Wasim who retired in 2003.

Another Pakistan batting great, Zaheer Abbas, described Inzamam as a class act.

“He looked so easy at the crease that bowlers used to get fooled. It will be hard for Pakistan to find a replacement for Inzamam,” said Zaheer.

Intikhab Alam, Pakistan’s manager and coach in the 1992 World Cup, said he never doubted that Inzamam would reach the top level.

“When he was selected for Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup a lot of people had doubts about him. He looked a bit lazy but he surprised everyone with his fielding and batting,” said Intikhab.

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson believes it will take a long time for the team to mould a replacement for Inzamam.

“It is not going to happen overnight,” Lawson told reporters. “It will take a year or two before we can find a replacement for Inzamam. He was a class player with experience which comes with time.”

The former Australia bowler added it would be unfair to expect any of the current crop of players to start matching Inzamam’s batting exploits immediately.

“There are a couple of good players in line but they will take time to mature and establish themselves as Inzamam did himself,” Lawson said.—Agencies