Crunch time for captain Inzamam

By Paresh Soni

Inzy needs players to stand up and fight Richard Pybus

Inzamam-ul-Haq is a man under pressure.

Inconsistent performances from his team have led to questions about his future as Pakistan captain.

His statistics as a batsman - more than 7,000 runs and 20 Test centuries - are impressive.

Even Inzamam's fielding and running between the wickets, which was a source of ridicule a few years ago, has improved considerably.

But his record as skipper - three wins and five defeats from 10 Tests - is less spectacular.

Defeat to India at home last year was hard to take, so could another reverse in the return series spell the end of the 35-year-old's reign?

"This series is going to be critical, not only for Inzy, but also the direction the team goes in," former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus told BBC Sport.

"People are going to look for him to stand up and be counted. This series could potentially be the making of Inzy as a captain."

LONG-SERVING SKIPPERS Imran Khan (14 wins in 48 Tests) Javed Miandad (14/34) Wasim Akram (12/25) AH Kardar (6/23) Mushtaq Mohammad (8/19) Waqar Younis (10/17)

Inzamam's critics say he needs to be more vocal and demonstrative in the field, but that is unlikely to happen.

"I've known him for a long time, I took him to Australia as an Under-19 player, and he's not changed at all since then," commented former Test all-rounder Wasim Raja.

"He's a very quiet person, he has his own way of dealing with issues on and off the field. He tries his best, and will chip in with the odd comment."

But Pybus and Raja agree that Inzamam should not shoulder all the blame for Pakistan's performances, which include a 3-0 defeat in Australia recently.

"If he or Yousuf Youhana get out cheaply, there is no-one to hold the batting together," said Raja.

Pybus went even further, adding: "You can make the best strategic decisions and marshal the troops as well as you can but the team has to follow and take responsibility.

The captaincy has tended to be passed around with everybody having a bash Richard Pybus

"What Inzy really needs, and what the country is looking for, are players to stand up and fight.

"There is no shortage of talent - that's never been an issue with Pakistan - but they need guys to control and win games."

One thing in Inzamam's favour is the apparent lack of captaincy options elsewhere in the squad.

Younis Khan has replaced Yousuf Youhana as vice-captain but Raja said: "There appears to be no-one else who could captain the side. I can't see anyone else who could take the leadership role."

Pybus added: "The captaincy has tended to be passed around with everybody having a bash and they discover somebody who can half-captain the team. There tends to be a lack of long-term planning."

Of course, a victory against India would see Inzamam heralded as a national hero.

"If that happens, the Australia series will be forgotten, Bob Woolmer will be the best thing since sliced bread and the chairman of board will be lined up for the presidency," said Pybus.

"I wouldn't discount it if Inzy can rally the troops and come up with some good gameplans with Bob.

"But the team has to execute those gameplans and some of the other blokes have to come to the party."