Inzamam unlikely to travel to Australia

Inzamam-ul-Haq: unwilling to goto Australia for the ICC Awards or Captains' Conference © AFP

Still annoyed with ICC selectors for overlooking him from the Super Series World XI squad against Australia, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain, today said he will not travel to Australia next month for the Captains' Conference and the second ICC Annual Awards.

Inzamam told PTI, "I have not yet made up my mind if I would play in the Super Series if given a late ticket, but I have definitely decided not to travel to Australia for Captains' Conference and ICC Annual Awards. I have conveyed my decision to the concerned authorities."

Inzamam's decision came a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board said it would back the captain if he decides to skip the Australian tour. Inzamam's decision has also strengthened apprehensions that he might turn down a late invitation from the ICC to represent the World XI in place of an injured Sachin Tendulkar or Herschelle Gibbs.

"I don't think it would be a wise decision to take a long flight to and from Sydney for the Captains' Conference when the same time can be better utilised to prepare for the home series against England. That is far more important than anything at the moment."

Michael Vaughan's side, fresh from their Ashes success against Australia, arrive in Pakistan on October 26 for a three-Test and five-ODI series. When England last toured Pakistan in 2000, they won the three-Test series 1-0 while Pakistan clinched the ODI series

Inzamam added, "Instead of undergoing flight hazards, I have decided to pencil down my suggestions, opinions and recommendations and hand them over to the PCB so that they can forward them to the ICC."

Inzamam said it was a great honour for him to be nominated for three ICC awards. "I don't think that I will win any award for the simple reason that if I get any award, it would be embarrassing for the selectors and I don't think the ICC would put its selectors in a situation where they are left with no hiding place. Don't you agree that it would be a bad publicity for the ICC or its selectors if winner of any of the three awards is originally overlooked from its World XI?"

Inzamam, who averages over 50 in ODIs and 94.67 in Tests this year, has been nominated for Player of the Year, Test Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year awards.