Karachi, Aug 16: Pakistan cricket selectors today recalled ace middle-order batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq and put seven novice players on the 15-man squad for the first test against Bangladesh. The series begins in Karachi on Wednesday.
Haq has not played since his dismal World Cup championship performance when he scored just 21 runs in six games. "I am now focussed and eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming international commitments. It was difficult to sit outside and watch matches," said Haq, who missed three one-day international tournaments in the last five months.
"I believe (the rest) has done me a lot of good. My appetite for international cricket has returned," Haq said. The burly batsman from Multan - where the third test against Bangladesh will be played - has scored 6,214 runs for an average of 48.92 in 85 test matches.
Chairman of selectors Aamir Sohail also said Haq needed a rest after the World Cup.
But the Pakistani selectors never lost faith in Haq's abilities, Sohail said.
"We never had any doubts in our minds about the credentials, experience and talent of Inzamam. We believed he deserved a rest because he had been playing nonstop cricket for 18 straight months.
"He was tired," Sohail said. Bureau Report