Inzamam-ul-Haq Reveals How Imran Khan Helped Pakistan Beat India At Eden Gardens In 2004
Published - 15 Aug 2020, 11:59 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:33 AM
Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has revealed how Imran Khan, another former Pakistan skipper, helped the team win a match against India in 2004. Inzamam-ul-Haq was talking about BCCI’s Platinum Jubilee match in which the Indian board had invited Pakistan for an ODI to celebrate the occasion in 2004.
Imran Khan, who is currently the Prime Minister of Pakistan, was one of the guests for the occasion and was sitting in the Pakistan dressing room while the match was on. Recalling the occasion, Inzamam-ul-Haq revealed how Imran Khan had in a way taken over the captaincy from him.
Inzamam-ul-Haq stated that there was a lot of pressure on his team not only because of the occasion and atmosphere and the presence of Imran Khan only increased the pressure further.
And as if the pressure was not enough, India posted a formidable total of 292 for six. Virender Sehwag had scored a fine fifty at the top of the order before Yuvraj Singh (78 off 62) helped India finish the innings strongly. Recalling the match, Inzamam-ul-Haq said Imran had sent out a message for him during the drinks break of Pakistan’s chase which turned out to be crucial.
“It was just only one match so the pressure was much more. The second big pressure was of Imran Khan, who was watching the match from our dressing room. I have played under Imran bhai.
“He had kind of taken over captaincy. Salman Butt was batting with me. He suffered cramps. So a teammate came running in with a message. I thought I’m the captain who is sending me messages. He told me that Imran bhai has said Salman Butt is having troubles with his hamstring, tell him to retire hurt, take treatment and then go back onto the field. I sent Salman back. He came back after treatment and scored a hundred,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq on his YouTube channel.
Riding on Butt’s ton, Pakistan went on to win the game comfortably. They thrashed India by six wickets. Apart from Butt, who scored an unbeaten 108, there were important contributions from Shoaib Malik (61 off 55) and captain Inzamam 75 off 75.
