Such compelling are his records and so emphatic were his performances that he is often named among the greatest cricketers from around the world to have played the game.
Inzamam-Ul-Haq – fondly known as ‘Inzi’ – played international cricket for almost two decades, producing truckload of runs in One-Day Internationals and Tests. He captained Pakistan across all three formats – in process becoming Pakistan’s first-ever T20I captain – and had two stints as chief selector.
He shot to prominence with a match-winning 60 off just 37 balls against New Zealand in the semi-final of the 1992 iteration of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The tall and broad batter, who often sported a poker face as he went about accumulating runs, made a crucial 42 in the memorable final of the 1992 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
He was just 22 at the time and had made his Pakistan debut just some months ago in November 1991 against the West Indies.
It was his consecutive centuries against Sri Lanka at home that put him on the plane headed Down Under and the rest as they say is history.
No Pakistan batter has been able to match Inzamam’s greatness in ODI cricket. He is the only player from his country to score more than 10,000 runs in the format, 11,701 to be precise at the average of 39.53 and an impressive strike rate of 74.20. He made 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries across 348 innings.
Inzamam’s career was defined by defiance and grace in the face of adversity. Whether it was the match-saving 138 not out against Bangladesh in Multan in 2002 to take Pakistan home from 164 for seven in the chase of 262, 177 against a West Indian attack that boast fearsome Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop or 329 against New Zealand in sweltering Lahore conditions, Inzamam rose to the occasion whenever his team needed. His innings against New Zealand was the best score for a number four batter at the time.
He took a stand for national pride when his team was accused of changing condition of the ball at The Oval in 2006 and refused to take the field unless those allegations along with the five-run penalty was withdrawn by the on-field umpires. The charges were subsequently withdrawn.
Inzamam made his Test debut in Pakistan’s tour of England after their 1992 World Cup triumph. His 8,829 Test runs are the third most for a Pakistan batter in the format and he averages a phenomenal 50.16. He has 25 centuries and 46 half-centuries across 198 innings.
Inzamam was named Pakistan’s regular captain in 2003 and remained at the helm until the end of the 2007. He famously squared the Test series in India in 2005 and scored an incredible 184 in the final Test which was also his 100th. Pakistan also famously avenged last year’s defeat at home on this tour by thrashing India 4-2 at their den.
Inzamam helped Pakistan to comeback from behind to draw a two-Test series in West Indies and defeated England 2-0 at home. After drawing the first two Tests under Inzamam, Pakistan recorded a series win with the win in the third Test in Karachi under Younis Khan, before Inzamam led Pakistan to an away series win over Sri Lanka. When West Indies toured Pakistan towards the end of 2006, Pakistan defeated them 2-0.
Overall, he led Pakistan in 31 Tests (11 won, 11 lost, 9 drawn), 87 ODIs (51 won, 33 lost) and their maiden T20I against England at Bristol in 2006 that Pakistan won by five wickets.
Inzamam was born in Multan in 1970. After his retirement in 2007, he briefly served Afghanistan as coach and helped Pakistan batters prepare for the 2012-13 tour of India, which remains the last bilateral series between the neighbours.