Selectors take U-turn, but Inzamam says no

Former pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has made himself unavailable for the first Test against South Africa...

Former pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has made himself unavailable for the first Test against South Africa citing ‘personal’ reasons after selectors took a U-turn today by deciding to include him.

“I spoke to him today but he said he is not available for the first Test. If he makes himself available for selection, he will be considered for the second Test,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said.

Inzamam is Pakistan’s second highest most capped player with 119 Tests and was desperate to play Tests after retiring from one-day internationals and stepping down as the captain after Pakistan’s disastrous World Cup campaign in the West Indies.

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Until yesterday, the selectors had remained non-committal on his selection but sources say it was this morning that the Pakistan Cricket Board gave its clearance to the selectors to consider Inzamam for the South Africa series.

“Inzamam turned down the opportunity to play the first Test for some personal reasons but he is likely to make himself available for the second Test starting from October 8,” a source close to him said.

Inzamam returned recently from England where he had a short stint with Yorkshire without much success. Sources said the PCB now wanted to give Inzamam a befitting farewell and allow him to break Javed Miandad’s record of most Test runs for Pakistan.

The burly right-hander has also been invited to a grand reception on September 30 in Karachi to honour Mohammad Yousuf for winning the ICC Test Player of the Year award.

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The selectors have included Misbah-ul-Haq in the squad announced for the first Test, which begins on Monday. Misbah is obviously being rewarded for his outstanding display in the Twenty20 World Cup as his last Test appearance was in 2003 against Bangladesh in Karachi.

“Misbah has performed admirably since being brought back into the team. He deserved a chance in the Test side as he is capable of playing long innings,” Salahuddin said.

He said Yousuf’s comeback would also strengthen the batting line-up. Yousuf only made himself available for Pakistan yesterday after a meeting with PCB Naseem Ashraf during which he agreed to cancel his Indian Cricket League contract.

According to sources, the emphasis on Inzamam and Yousuf was due to Pakistan’s tour of India in November-December. Young pace bowler Sohail Tanvir, who made an impression in the Twenty20 World Cup, was still young and would be given ample opportunities in future, he said. “We don’t want to rush him and ensure his confidence is built up steadily. He is certainly a fine prospect for Pakistan.”