Inzy savours end of golden age

Inzamam-ul-Haq receives a guard of honour after his final Test match © Getty Images

Inzamam-ul-Haq was left to reflect on “16 golden years” at the top of his profession on Friday after bowing out of Test cricket following the second Test against South Africa in Lahore.

The 37-year-old was unable to serve up a fitting finale with the bat on his final appearance, however, as he fell agonisingly short of becoming Pakistan’s leading run scorer in Test matches.

Needing just six second-innings runs to break Javed Miandad’s all-time record, Inzamam managed only three on the final day against the Proteas to finish his illustrious career on 8,830 Test runs.

“First of all, it is 16 golden years for me because I had lot of achievements and at the end of the day I am very happy,” said Inzamam.

“My most memorable moment will be the 1992 World Cup. When we won, it was the happiest moment of my life.”

In that final, the 22-year-old Inzamam announced his arrival on the world stage, hitting 42 as Pakistan defeated England by 22 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Inzamam-ul-Haq helps Pakistan to beat England in the 1992 World Cup final © Getty Images

From that moment his career went from strength to strength, and Inzamam went on to register 25 Test centuries in 120 matches to set a new record for a Pakistan player.

However, in later years the burly batsman found himself embroiled in a number of controversial incidents

He bowed out of one-day cricket in the wake of Pakistan’s ignominious exit from the World Cup earlier this year, a tournament which was overshadowed by the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.

Inzamam also became the first captain for forfeit as Test match after his side were accused of ball tampering against England in 2006.

But when it came to reflecting on his career on Friday, the erstwhile skipper had nothing but fond memories.

He said: “I would like to thank God that he gave me such a wonderful opportunity and today when I leave I know I take with me 16 years of your love and affection and appreciation - I would like to thank all the people of Pakistan who supported me.

I would also like to thank my Board that they gave me such a wonderful opportunity. I would also like to thank all the selectors who have selected me over the last 16 years.

“I would like to thank all my senior players who encouraged me and from whom I learnt a lot and who helped me a lot throughout my career.

Inzamam leads Pakistan off the field during the forfeited 2006 Brit Oval Test © Getty Images

““My captains, my seniors and my colleagues, I thank you all. I especially want to thank all those who played under my captaincy and gave me so much of respect and love.”

Inzamam was philosophical about his performance with the bat in the second-innings against South Africa, who won the two-match series 1-0 after the final Test ended in a draw.

Inzamam scored just 14 runs in the first innings and entered the fray on Friday with Pakistan on 272 for four, chasing a target of 457.

He faced just two balls before he was stumped by Mark Boucher off the bowling of Paul Harris, but was nevertheless given a guard of honour by his team-mates as he left a Test arena for a last time.

“I always thought the first match was the pressure match - I didn’t know that the last match could be a pressure match, the most pressure in my life,” he admitted.

“We just needed a good innings but unfortunately I couldn’t do that, but it’s okay, it happens.”

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who was clearly emotional as he paid his respects to Inzamam out on the field, led the tributes to his colleague.

“I want to thank Inzamam,” Malik said. “He has supported me a lot. He has also helped other team members.”

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf added: “Over the last 16 years he has brought happiness not only to people in Pakistan but world over - he is a legend indeed.”