A cricketing giant departs - Inzamam's final ODI appearance

Amidst the turmoil surrounding the Pakistani camp over the past few days, Inzamam ul Haq announced his retirement. Some saw the declaration as insensitive, but regardless of its timing, no one can dispute its significance.

Pakistan's finest batsman after Miandad, will no longer play one day internationals. And that's a hard pill to swallow...

Like most Pakistani fans my age, I don't remember anything about cricket before 1992. I used to play the game, but had no idea about names and people. Abdul Qadir was supposed to be awesome. Who knows though? And Wasim Bari who? And the only thing I knew about Imran Khan was that my mother loved him, that he lifted the world cup, dedicated it to his late mother, and was pretty eloquent. That 92 WC victory not only sucked me into cricket, but it introduced me to Inzamam ul Haq.

It isn't surprising how that magnificent innings against NZ was the performance most people remember. He was new to the scene and immensely talented. Everything that came after seemed almost expected! Plus he played that innings alongside another giant of Pakistani cricket, Miandad, who was on the last leg of his career. Sort of like passing the mantle right?

It's difficult not to watch a replay of that semi final and not be amazed. That was one wicked innings, but more than that, it was calculated and marked with that cool composure we all take for granted from him. We all know the shot of the game: that charge down the pitch, with that elegant loft over long off for 6. That single shot has been replayed in a Junoon video, Marlboro commercials and most tributes to Pakistan on youtube. And what a shot it was! I tried playing that shot once against my brother back in Islamabad at my grandfather's house. We lost the ball on the roof. No, not the neighbor's roof. It didn't go very far. It went on our own roof. Anyway, take a look at Inzi's innings. That shot is about 2 minutes into the video.

I suppose it's fair to say, that ever since I have been obsessed with cricket, Inzamam has been playing at the highest level. As a result it is incredibly weird to see cricketers, whose entire careers I have followed, retire. Lara, Tendulkar, McGrath come to mind. On the lighter side, its situations such as these when really knows they're getting old!

On a functional note, naturally, Inzamam's loss means there is going to be a big hole in the Pakistani middle order. It's time for Faisal Iqbal, Hasan Raza, Misbah ul Haq and company to step up.

I'll be watching the game against Zimbabwe tomorrow. Ironic how its going to be such a useless game in terms of the World Cup, but such a poignant and important one nevertheless, because of Inzi. Plus I'm hoping Inzi, himself, will make it even more memorable...