Inzamam hurt by 'unjust' World XI decision by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	Johnnie Walker Super Series 2005/06

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DateLine: 25th August 2005

 

KARACHI, Aug 24 (AFP) - Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq said Wednesday he was hurt by the the "unjust" decision to leave him out of the World XI Test and one-day Super Series teams to face Australia in October.

 

But his Pakistan teammate, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, was toasting his own inclusion in both of the sides announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, saying it was a "lifetime chance to beat Australia".

 

Inzamam joined England skipper Michael Vaughan and Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble on the sidelines of the Test squad, while Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, India's Rahul Dravid and West Indian Chris Gayle missed out in the ODIs.

 

"I am surprised. It's unjust," Inzamam told AFP. He missed out after featuring in both the preliminary squads of 20 and had been considered a front-runner to captain the World XI.

 

The series will feature a six-day Test against the Australians at the Sydney Cricket Ground from October 14-19 and three one-dayers at Melbourne's Docklands stadium on October 5, 7 and 9.

 

South African Graeme Smith will lead the World Test team, while his compatriot Shaun Pollock has been named captain of the one-day side.

 

But the 35-year-old Inzamam, who has 7,620 runs in 101 Tests and 10,971 runs in 347 one-dayers -- second only to India's Sachin Tendulkar's 13,642 -- said on current form he merits a place among the world's best.

 

"My current form and my overall record are both very good. Normally I don't take such things to heart but I feel hurt at being deprived of a lifetime chance," said Inzamam.

 

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas called for a review of the decision, while Javed Miandad, another ex-skipper, said Inzamam's omission was wrong as he was among the world's current top five batsmen.

 

One-time Pakistani fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said the decision was "shocking". "Spent forces like Shaun Pollock and novices like Graeme Smith are rewarded and Inzamam is deprived," he added.

 

Meanwhile Shoaib Akhtar was raring to go after missing Pakistan's last two series this year due to injury.

 

"I am very excited and honoured at being included in both the squads and it's a lifetime chance for me to beat Australia in their den," Akhtar told AFP from London.

 

"Of course, Australia are beatable. England have shown the way to the world and the world's best players can do that come October," said Akhtar, who has 144 wickets in 36 Tests and 192 in 123 one-day internationals.

 

Akhtar added that the ICC had done well to organise the event against world champions Australia.

 

"It gives all the players a chance to get to know each other and show how cricket can unite nations and players," he said.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)