Lahore, Apr 08: Shortly after the series-levelling win against India here today, Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq dropped a bombshell by threatening to relinquish the captaincy if the "negative criticism" directed at his team did not stop. Inzamam said he was not opposed to criticism but some of the negative remarks by former Pakistan cricketers in the last few days had been extremely "demoralising" for the team and "had crossed all limits".

"The criticism of the team is too much, it has become difficult to continue. I will have no hesitation in relinquishing the captaincy if it continues in this way. It does not help the team at all," Inzamam said after Pakistan scripted a comprehensive nine-wicket victory against arch rivals India to level the three-match Test series 1-1. Several former Pakistani cricketers had gone on the offensive against the home team after it lost the one-day series and the first Test in Multan.

Bureau Report