Skipper Shoaib Malik reportedly does not want him back in the team which may become a crucial factor in deciding the former captain's fate.
KARACHI: Even as Pakistan Cricket Board chief Nasim Ashraf meets Inzamam-ul Haq to discuss his future, skipper Shoaib Malik reportedly does not want him back in the team which may become a crucial factor in deciding the former captain's fate.
The selection committee is facing a dilemma as they feel, Inzamam with an experience of 119 Test matches should prolong his Test career for the coming Indian tour and the home series against Australia.
They want Inzamam to put any retirement plans on a back-burner for a few months but Malik is reluctant to have his former captain back as he thinks that he could have a negative influence in the dressing room.
"Inzamam will be coming down to Karachi today and will meet with the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and selectors to take a decision on his immediate future," one source said.
"Originally the idea remains that Inzamam should announce his retirement before playing in the second Test at Lahore against South Africa, but now the selectors are having a second thought." he said.
"Even though a respectable send off and financial rewards have been promised to Inzamam for his retirement, the growing feeling is that it would be beneficial for the team if Inzamam tours India for the Test series and appears against Australia early next year and than retires."
"The current batting line-up remains suspect even if Mohammad Yousuf returns to the side for the Lahore Test."
The source said Malik was not in favour of having Inzamam back for more than one Test, Lahore Test, as he felt the former captain had a 'negative' influence in the dressing room.
"Obviously Malik is also apprehensive that since Inzamam is such a senior player he might lose control over the players if he is back."
This despite the fact that for the first time since being made captain after the World Cup, Malik recently called up Inzamam and spoke to him.
"Malik called up Inzamam and told him his team had made the final of the twenty20 World Cup and congratulated him," the source said.
One thing is certain, the source said that Inzamam, 37 and Yousuf were set to play in the Lahore test against South Africa with Pakistan now facing an imminent defeat to South Africa in the first test in Karachi.
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