My duty to win cricket World Cup for Pakistan: Inzamam
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP) - Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes it’s his responsibility to win the World Cup for Pakistan but if he fails he might just be tempted to try again next time.
Inzamam, whose batting helped steer Imran Khan’s Pakistan team to the 1992 title, will be 41 when the 10th World Cup is held in the sub-continent in 2011.
But the thought of going down in history is driving him on.
“I see that as I’m nearing the end of my cricketing career, I’d like to feel that my responsibility lies in the way that I try and win this Cup for Pakistan,” said Inzamam on the eve of his side’s opening Group D match against hosts West Indies.
"When I started in 1992, I was a young player and there weren’t many responsibilities on me, but today I’m the captain and there is, of course, a lot more responsibility.
“But I’ll continue to play as long as I feel I can give a performance and there is no deadline for any player to end their career, as long as he continues to do well for his country.”
Inzamam, who turned 37 nine days ago, has enjoyed a colourful, run-filled but controversial career.
He is the second-highest run-maker in the history of the one-day game having racked up 11,665 runs with 10 centuries. He has played in 375 matches, bettered only by Indian master Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka.
But where the Pakistan team goes, trouble seems destined to follow them.
They came into the World Cup without the services of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, two of the game’s best fast bowlers.
Both men were forced out through injury but had spent the run-up to the tournament overshadowed by a doping scandal.
Inzamam, too, is never far from the danger zone having forfeited the fourth and final Test against England at The Oval in 2006 in a row over allegations of ball-tampering. He and his team were cleared of the charge.
Despite their troubles, Pakistan looked impressive in their warm-up win over world number one South Africa last week and Inzamam insists all their problems are behind them.
“There have been problems in the Pakistan team as far as injuries and some situations are concerned,” said the skipper.
"But the Pakistan team is certainly looking forward to this World Cup. The team is very well prepared.
"We have played before without Shoaib and Asif and, of course, Asif has been in this Pakistan team for only a year. It’s a loss but we have enough good players to do well.
“All the players have had practice, the bowlers have had their share as well as the batsmen and we’re all geared up for the World Cup.”
Pakistan will rely on the likes of Inzamam, as well as the team’s experienced heart of Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, to guide them through the marathon event.
Meanwhile, Inzamam believes that two-time defending champions Australia are still the favourites to win the trophy for a fourth time despite Ricky Ponting’s men having suffered recent defeats to England and New Zealand.
“Any team can win the Cup but Australia, if you look at their record for the past 10 years, I would still call them the favourites,” Inzamam said.
Pakistan face the West Indies at Sabina Park here on Tuesday before also taking on Zimbabwe and Ireland.
The top two teams will qualify for the second round Super Eights.
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