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Pak captaincy not on line: Inzamam

Inzamam finds himself under intense scrutiny ahead of his 100th Test with Pak trailing the series 1-0.

Updated on: Mar 23, 2005, 19:42:00 IST
PTI | By , Bangalore
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Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has brushed aside suggestions he may be sacked if his team fails to secure a series-levelling victory in the third and final Test against India starting on Thursday.

HT Image
HT Image

Inzamam finds himself under intense scrutiny ahead of his 100th Test with Pakistan trailing 1-0 following the 195-run defeat in the second match at Kolkata on Sunday.

The opening Test at Mohali ended in a draw.

"Yes, it is a crucial match for us in a big series and we will try to win it," he said on Wednesday. "We will have to play positive and aggressive cricket to square the series.

"But I do not think my job is on the line. People always say such things whenever we lose. I am not worried about this."

Inzamam, 35, continued as captain even after Pakistan lost both the Test and one-day series against India at home last year.

Inzamam, who will become only the fourth Pakistani to figure in 100 Tests after Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Salim Malik, said he expected his team-mates to raise the level of their performance in his "special match".

"The 100th Test is always special but I will be happier if we win. I never thought I would play 100 matches when I started my career," he said. "It has not been an easy journey."

Inzamam wants an improved show from his batsmen, especially against leg-spinner Anil Kumble who led India to victory with a 10-wicket match-haul in the Kolkata Test.

"The row over Harbhajan Singh's bowling action may help us a bit. He is a good bowler, but don't forget it was Kumble who did the damage in the previous match," the Pakistan captain said.

Off-spinner Harbhajan is eligible to play even after being reported for a suspect action by English match-referee Chris Broad after the second Test.

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