Inzamam-ul-Haq Hails Pakistan's 'Historic' Series Win vs Sri Lanka
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the final Test to win the series 2-1. Inzamam-ul-Haq says the triumph is even more special because it was achieved by batting in the final innings.
Former Pakistan cricketers lauded Misbah-ul-Haq's team for its "historic" win after an unlikely run chase against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test, which gave them their first series victory over the hosts in nine years.
Set a daunting 377 to win the decisive Test in Pallekele, Pakistan rode on an unbeaten 171 from Younis Khan - his 30th Test century - and a maiden hundred by opener Shan Masood to clinch the match by seven wickets (LINK) on Tuesday (July 7). (Match report | Scorecard)
The win gave Pakistan a 2-1 series win and lifted them to third spot in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
"It's a historic win," said Inzamam-ul-Haq. "The win is more praiseworthy because we are considered weak chasers, but the boys, led by Younis and Masood, helped clinch that in a remarkable way, which I know lot of people would not have expected." (Also read: How Pakistan matched Australia)
Inzamam said the determination Pakistan showed to fight back after conceding a lead should give them confidence in the future. "I am pleased with the team's ability to fight back because after getting bowled out for 215 in the first innings, it was difficult to come back and Sri Lanka were dominant. But Pakistan put up a brilliant fightback and to be able to score 377 in the last innings will give confidence to the team for future," he said. "It will give them the belief that they can chase 350-plus or 400 in future Tests."
Inzamam anchored Pakistan's highest chase before this one, 314 against Australia in Karachi in 1994, with a fighting half-century. "It is good that that long-standing record is now erased," he said.
Inzamam singled out Younis for praise, saying the veteran "has proved to be the key and has reposed the confidence a team can have in a senior player". Younis's century was his fifth in the second innings of a Test - a world record beating India's Sunil Gavaskar and England's Geoff Boycott, who both had four.
Javed Miandad echoed Inzamam's sentiments. "It's a remarkable win," said Miandad. "The chase has proved that our players are capable and have the potential to be the best in the world."
About Younis, Miandad said, "I can't say much, but his performance speaks for him. Younis is the most focussed player and the best thing about him is that if he makes a mistake one day then he overcomes that the very next day. His fitness is the best in the whole team."