BANGALORE, March 23: Friends and rivals have joined hands to pay rich tribute to Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq, set to make his 100th Test appearance in the third and final match against India.

“I congratulate you on this occasion,” former Pakistani batsman Zaheer Abbas said in a message to Inzamam on Wednesday.

“You are a world-class player and I pray you score a century in your 100th Test and help your team level the series.”

Former batting great Javed Miandad holds Pakistan’s record for making the most Test appearance with 124 matches, followed by Wasim Akram (104) and Salim Malik (103).

The rival teams will line up before the start of the match on Thursday to shake hands with Inzamam and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan will present him with a crystal trophy.

“Inzamam is a great player who has served the country to the best of his ability. We will honour him on completing 100 Tests,” said Shaharyar.

Pakistan’s former skipper Imran Khan told Inzamam by telephone from Islamabad that he had always rated the current captain among the top three batsmen in the world.

“He (Imran) wished me best of luck on my 100th Test,” Inzamam said. “Imran said ‘you deserve this and I have always rated you as one of the top three batsmen in the world’. I was really touched.”

Imran is credited with picking an unknown Inzamam for the 1992 World Cup.

Former team-mate Waqar Younis described Inzamam as a “great ambassador of the game”.

“Inzamam has always been a great team-mate and a good friend.

I wish him luck and hope he plays more Tests than anyone in Pakistan,” said Waqar, who is here as a TV commentator.

Indian coach John Wright said Inzamam was always a big asset to the game.

“I have always enjoyed Inzamam’s batting. He is a big asset to the game and his country,” said Wright.

—AFP