KARACHI, Aug 16: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is unlikely to be forced to step down following the side's Test series loss to England, a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Wednesday.

“Inzamam's captaincy is not under threat,” PCB director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf said.

“He has been named captain until the home series against the West Indies later this year. His captaincy will only come up for review by the board after that series regardless of the results until then.”

Trailing 2-0 in the four-match series, Pakistan play the final Test against England at The Oval from Thursday before heading to India for the ICC Champions Trophy then returning home to host West Indies in November.

The 36-year-old Inzamam has come under fire from former test players and in the Pakistani media following the heavy defeats in the second and third Tests, which led to the side's first Test-series loss in England since 1982.

His captaincy has been criticized with some former players and critics demanding he be replaced immediately.

“Inzamam has failed to motivate the players against England. He has rarely appeared involved in the happenings on the field.

“He should be replaced by Younis Khan,” former coach and captain Intikhab Alam told Dawn on Wednesday.

Inzamam who has appeared in 112 Tests and 362 One-day Internationals has held the captaincy for 23 Tests since November 2003. He also captained his team for one Test against New Zealand in 2000 when regular skipper Moin Khan was injured.

Pakistan has a balanced record of eight wins, eight draws and eight defeats under Inzamam.—Reuters