Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam-ul-Haq – Pakistan’s Batting Powerhouse and World Cup Hero

Introduction

Inzamam-ul-Haq is one of Pakistan’s greatest middle-order batsmen and a legendary cricketing figure. Known for his calm demeanor, powerful stroke play, and ability to anchor the innings, Inzamam played a crucial role in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup victory. With over 20,000 international runs, he remains one of Pakistan’s highest run-scorers in Test and ODI cricket. His effortless timing, ability to play under pressure, and match-winning performances made him one of the finest batsmen of his era. This article explores Inzamam-ul-Haq’s cricket career, achievements, leadership, and impact on Pakistani cricket.

Quick Facts – Inzamam-ul-Haq

Full Name	Syed Inzamam-ul-Haq
Date of Birth	3 March 1970
Age	54 years (as of 2024)
Birthplace	Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Batting Style	Right-handed
Bowling Style	Slow left-arm orthodox
Role	Batsman
International Debut (Test)	4 June 1992 vs England
ODI Debut	23 November 1991 vs West Indies
T20I Debut	28 August 2006 vs England
Last International Match	5 October 2007 (Test) vs South Africa

Inzamam-ul-Haq Career Statistics

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Average	100s/50s	Highest Score
Test	120	8,830	49.60	25/46	329
ODI	378	11,739	39.53	10/83	137*
T20I	1	11	11.00	0/0	11
First-Class	245	16,785	50.10	45/87	329
List A	458	13,746	38.04	12/97	157*

Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Rise to Stardom

Inzamam’s journey began in Multan, Pakistan, where he developed a passion for cricket at an early age. His talent was evident from his early days in domestic cricket, where he played for teams like Multan, Faisalabad, and National Bank of Pakistan. His big break came when he was selected by Imran Khan to play in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, a decision that proved game-changing for Pakistan cricket.

1992 World Cup – The Breakthrough Performance

The 1992 Cricket World Cup was the defining moment of Inzamam’s career. Pakistan struggled in the semi-final against New Zealand, chasing 262 runs. The team was in trouble before a young Inzamam-ul-Haq smashed 60 runs off just 37 balls, playing an explosive innings that changed the game.

Key World Cup Performances:

60 off 37 balls in the semi-final vs New Zealand (One of the greatest World Cup innings) 42 off 35 balls in the final vs England (Crucial in setting up a defendable total) Consistent lower-order contributions throughout the tournament This breakthrough performance established Inzamam as Pakistan’s most promising batsman, and he continued to shine in the years to come.

Batting Style and Strengths

Inzamam’s batting was defined by effortless timing, precision, and powerful stroke play. Despite his large frame (6 ft 3 in), he had quick reflexes and exceptional hand-eye coordination. Strengths:

• Master of spin – Played spinners with ease, using his feet brilliantly.
• Brilliant against pace – His ability to play fast bowling set him apart.
• Calm under pressure – Handled high-pressure situations with a cool mindset.
• Elegant stroke play – Had a wide range of shots, from cover drives to pull shots.

However, he also had a notorious reputation for poor running between the wickets, leading to many run-outs during his career.

Test Cricket – Pakistan’s Dependable Middle-Order Batsman

Inzamam was Pakistan’s backbone in Test cricket for over 15 years. He played some of the most memorable innings, including his career-best 329 against New Zealand in 2002.

Memorable Test Innings:

329 vs New Zealand (2002, Lahore) – The second-highest Test score for Pakistan. 184 vs India (2005, Bangalore) – A captain’s knock in a historic series. 138 vs Bangladesh (2003, Multan) – A match-winning knock under pressure. 118 vs Australia (1999, Hobart) – A fighting innings against a dominant Australian side. His consistency made him one of Pakistan’s top Test batsmen, second only to Javed Miandad and Younis Khan in overall runs at the time of his retirement.

ODI Career – Pakistan’s Leading Run Scorer

At the time of his retirement, Inzamam was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in ODIs, with 11,739 runs. He played many match-winning innings, often rescuing Pakistan from difficult situations.

Key ODI Achievements:

Most 50+ scores for Pakistan in ODIs (83 fifties, 10 centuries). Second Pakistani to cross 10,000 ODI runs after Javed Miandad. Highest scorer for Pakistan in 1999 Cricket World Cup (365 runs). Most runs in successful run chases for Pakistan. Despite his success, Inzamam’s ODI career ended on a disappointing note, as Pakistan was eliminated early from the 2007 World Cup.

Captaincy – Leading Pakistan from 2003 to 2007

Inzamam was appointed Pakistan’s captain in 2003, taking over from Waqar Younis. Under his leadership, Pakistan saw some remarkable victories, including a Test series win in India (2005) and a home series win against England (2005-06).

Captaincy Record:

Format	Matches as Captain	Wins	Losses	Draws
Tests	31	11	11	9
ODIs	87	51	33	3
T20Is	1	1	0	0

Captaincy Highlights:

Won the 2005 Test series vs England (2-0). Historic Test series win in India (1-1, 2005). Guided Pakistan to the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals. His captaincy ended after Pakistan’s early exit in the 2007 World Cup.

Retirement and Legacy

Inzamam retired from international cricket after the 2007 Test series against South Africa. He finished just 3 runs short of breaking Javed Miandad’s record for most Test runs by a Pakistani batsman.

Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Legacy

One of Pakistan’s greatest-ever batsmen Second-highest Test run-scorer for Pakistan Most 50+ scores for Pakistan in ODIs World Cup-winning hero of 1992 One of the best middle-order batsmen in cricket history Even after retirement, he remained involved in cricket, serving as Pakistan’s Chief Selector (2016-2019) and coaching Afghanistan’s national team.

Final Thoughts – The Sultan of Multan

Inzamam-ul-Haq’s impact on Pakistan cricket is unmatched. His match-winning performances, fearless approach, and leadership made him a true legend. A true batting great, Inzamam’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers!