Inzamam's men bring back cheers after tears in quake-hit nation by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 4th December 2005

 

Pakistan's remarkable Test series win over England has given the nation something to cheer about following the killer quake two months ago.

 

Former cricketing greats and local media on Sunday lauded Inzamam-ul-Haq's men after they humbled the tourists by an innings and 100 runs in the third and final Test here on Saturday to clinch the series 2-0.

 

"It is a great occasion for the whole nation and has given every Pakistani a moment of joy," said 1992 World Cup-winning Pakistani captain Imran Khan.

 

Pakistan suffered their worst ever natural disaster on October 8 when an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale killed around 80,000 people and left millions homeless.

 

"With the nation still recovering from the quake, our cricketers have given us something to cheer about by convincingly beating England," said an editorial in country's premier daliy the Dawn.

 

The Pakistani team donated 10 per cent of their series earnings to the quake relief fund, with match-winning fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar saying he dedicated his 17 wickets in the series to those who lost their lives in the disaster.

 

"My heart goes out for all those who died in the quake and I dedicate all my wickets to the quake victims," Akhtar said.

 

All the newspapers carried front-page pictures of the triumphant Pakistani team with captain Inzamam holding the trophy.

 

"Pak make Poms eat humble pie," said a front-page headline in The Nation.

 

"Akhtar and Danish Kaneria stamp all over Ashes heroes to carve out a great win for Pakistan," the newspaper added, referring to Akhtar's 5-71 and leg-spinner Kaneria's 4-52 which triggered a dramatic England collapse.

 

England, well-placed at lunch on 201-2, lost their last eight wickets in the space of 47 runs on the fifth and final day on Saturday to hand Pakistan their first series win in two years .

 

Khan said Inzamam and Akhtar were the heroes of the win.

 

"Inzamam was magnificent and he not only scored big but also led from the front. The other architect was Akhar who silenced his critics and without him Pakistan would not have been able to force wins," said Khan.

 

"Akhtar's speed and controlled variations decimated England's batting. England could never recover from the loss of their captain in the first Test at Multan and lost the series then and there."

 

Former Pakistani captain and TV commentator Ramiz Raja said the victory was the beginning of a new ear in Pakistan cricket.

 

"What a win!" said Raja in his column in the Times newspaper.

 

"Inzamam as a captain has not put a foot wrong this year. His calmness and sobriety in tense situations helped his team and the victory over England will usher a new beginning for this young team.

 

"It is a win the team can dedicate to all those who died in the calamity. It is something which can bring more laurels to the country in near future."

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)