'India tour going to be critical for Inzy'

"This series is going to be critical, not only for Inzy, but also the direction the team goes in," former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus said.

Despite his public posturings that the heat will be on India in the upcoming Test and One-Day cricket series, experts feel Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq would be under intense pressure to keep his job in the upcoming series beginning on March 8.

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"This series is going to be critical, not only for Inzy, but also the direction the team goes in," former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus said.

The 35-year-old Inzamam, who has impressive statistics as a batsman with more than 7,000 runs and 20 Test centuries, had to withstand a barrage of criticism after his side went down when India toured Pakistan last year.

Critics also point to his unimpressive record as skipper after he managed just three wins against five defeats in 10 Tests.

"People are going to look for him to stand up and be counted. This series could potentially be the making of Inzy as a captain," Pybus was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Though Inzamam has been blamed for not being vocal and demonstrative in the field, the Pakistan skipper has done little to makeover his image.

"I've known him for a long time, I took him to Australia as an Under-19 player, and he's not changed at all since then," former Test player Wasim Raja said.

"He's a very quiet person, he has his own way of dealing with issues on and off the field. He tries his best, and will chip in with the odd comment."

"If he or Yousuf Youhana get out cheaply, there is no-one to hold the batting together," Raja said.

Pybus also said that unless the team fights, the skipper could do little. "You can make the best strategic decisions and marshal the troops as well as you can but the team has to follow and take responsibility."

"What Inzy really needs, and what the country is looking for, are players to stand up and fight," he said.

"There is no shortage of talent - that's never been an issue with Pakistan - but they need guys to control and win games."

But pundits also feel that lack of enough challenge for his post may go in Inzamam's favour.

"There appears to be no-one else who could captain the side. I can't see anyone else who could take the leadership role," Raja said.

Pybus said a victory against India would see Inzamam emerging as an instant hero back home. "If that happens, the Australia series will be forgotten, Bob Woolmer will be the best thing since sliced bread and the chairman of board will be lined up for the presidency," he said.

"I wouldn't discount it if Inzy can rally the troops and come up with some good gameplans with Bob. But the team has to execute those gameplans and some of the other blokes have to come to the party," Pybus said.