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Inzy to stay as captain

April 20, 2004 13:11 IST

Inzamam-ul Haq will remain as Pakistan captain despite the Test and one-day series defeats to India.

Pakistan Cricket BoardĀ chairman Shaharyar Khan said the PCB has confidence in Inzamam's leadership skills and he would continue in the post for the rest of the year.

"We had appointed him as captain for the year 2004 to introduce some consistency and continuity in the team and also to give him confidence. We will stick by that policy," Khan told Reuters on Monday.

Pakistan have had 14 captaincy changes involving nine players in the last 10 years. Inzamam, 34, is Pakistan's second captain since the World Cup in February-March 2003.

Speculation had been rife in local media that, following the series defeat to arch-rivals India, the Board would make wholesale changes to the team. The positions of captain and coach were believed to be on the line.

Pakistan's defeat in the one-dayers, which they lost 3-2 and the Test series (2-1) were the first at home to India.

Khan also ruled out major changes to the team.

"There will be some changes but these would be done after having meetings with the management and the players and selectors. We are not going to jump the gun," Khan said.

"We are definitely concerned with the lack of effort on the part of the players in the final Test match, and with the numerous injury problems that hit the team, particularly Shoaib Akhtar," he added.

The PCB has already announced that a medical commission will investigate the spate of injuries in the team during the series.

Moin Khan, Shabbir Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul, man-of-the-match in Pakistan's win in the second Test in Lahore, were out injured for the final Test.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and batsman Asim Kamal also sustained injuries during the deciding Test in Rawalpindi, which India won by an innings and 131 runs.

Shoaib did not bowl on the third day of play, when India raced towards a total of 600 runs, after injuring his wrist the previous day.

Source: REUTERS
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