Inzamam retires from ODI cricket

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has elected to step down from the captaincy following his team’s World Cup campaign. Inzamam announced this evening that he will retire from one-day international cricket and the leadership role, but will continue to play Test cricket.

“I have talked with my father on the phone,” said Inzamam, “and have decided to retire from one-day cricket after the Zimbabwe match.”

Yesterday Pakistan was eliminated from the World Cup following their second successive loss to start the tournament. Ireland celebrated St. Patrick’s day with a 3-wicket win over Pakistan, and may now advance to the Super Eight stage ahead of their more favoured Asian counterparts. In the time since the defeat, attention has shifted to the shocking passing of coach Bob Woolmer, and Inzamam’s announcement comes at an increasingly hectic time for Pakistan cricket.

“I am shocked and badly hurt. We have lost a good coach and a good person,” he said, commenting on the tragedy.

Under Inzamam, Pakistan played 31 Tests, winning 14 and losing 17. In addition, he led the team in 88 one-day internationals and achieved victory on 33 occasions. Over his 15-year ODI career, Inzamam played 377 matches and scored 11702 run at an average of 39.53. A superb innings of 137 not out against New Zealand in 1994 was the highest mark of his career and the best of his 10 hundreds. However, his innings of 60 from 37 balls against in the 1992 World Cup will be remembered more fondly. The knock powered Pakistan past New Zealand and into the final, which they ultimately won.

Having lost to the West Indies and Ireland, Pakistan have no chance of making the second round of the World Cup. They face Zimbabwe on Wednesday at Sabina Park.