South Africa Test will be his last
INZAMAM-ul-Haq will retire from international cricket after the second Test against South Africa.
The 37-year-old is calling it a day after a distinguished 15-year career in which he played 119 Tests for Pakistan.
He gave up his captaincy and quit one-day internationals following Pakistan’s shocking early exit from the World Cup this year.
Since the tournament Pakistan have enjoyed an influx of younger players who led them to the Twenty20 final against India in South Africa last month.
Inzamam, who has been included in the second Test squad against South Africa, said he was keen to give way for younger emerging players.
“I want to give way to youngsters and allow them centre stage,” he said.
“I don’t want to stop any youngster’s progress.
“I have taken this decision after much thought and I realise that my presence in the dressing room could be a pressure on the younger players.
“So I have decided this is the best time for me to bid farewell to a game I have loved so much.
“It is a tough decision but it is the best for me and my country.”
Inzamam will be hoping to leave his mark as Pakistan’s leading Test run scorer after the South Africa test.
The 37-year-old needs just 20 runs to bypass Javed Miandad’s record of 8,832 runs.
He already hold his country’s record for runs in the one-day game with 11,739 in 378 matches.
