Inzamam leaves field with tears in his eyes

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Pakistan captain and one of the leading batsmen in the present cricket world, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has finally left the field after playing his last innings in One-day International cricket here at Sabina Park today.In his 378th ODI, the 37-year-old veteran cricketer scored 37 off 35 deliveries and hit three sixes and two fours. When he got out, caught Stuart Williams bowled Mupariwa, all Zimbabwean fielders gathered around him and shook hands to see off the great batsman who could not control his emotions at the moment. Pakistani players also came out of the dressing room to receive their tearful captain.Inzamam, who was shattered by the shock defeat to cricket minnows Ireland and dejected by the sudden death of coach Bob Woolmer in the wake of Pakistan’s loss, today played only to bid farewell to his ODI cricket career.Inzamam-ul-Haq has played 378 one-dayers over a 15-year career. He has scored 11,739 runs, which is the second highest aggregate in One-day International cricket. He hit 10 hundreds and a world record 83 fifties.He has appeared in five successive cricket world cups since1992 when he famously sparked his side into the final with a dashing 60 off 37 balls in the semi-final against New Zealand. He has scored 717 runs in 35 World Cup matches.However, Inzamam said he will be available in Test cricket, not as captain but as a player.