'My pacers are nowhere near world-class,' says Inzamam

Inzamam-ul-Haq has lashed out at Pakistan's bowlers, after his team suffered a humilating defeat in the first Test at Multan. In a column that appeared in Mid Day, Inzamam claimed that the bowlers were far from "world-class" and that the "hype balloon" had finally burst after they got carted around on the first two days. "In my book, Imran Khan was world-class; so was Wasim Akram. In my book, Anil Kumble is world-class. On a dry, bald, flat wicket he got eight Pakistan wickets without match practice. My flock of pacers is nowhere near that class."

He went on: "You could trust Wasim and Imran to bowl out the opposition on any surface. They didn't rely only on pace. They had lots of ammunition to suit every surface. The same cannot be said of my pace quartet, who have bowled well only under helpful conditions."

Inzamam was critical of the mental approach of the bowlers, and accused them of getting carried away. "The pre-series hype about our pace bowling versus India's batting seems to have gone straight to their heads. They have forgotten how to bowl straight. Some former players have added to the hype by subscribing to this theory. When people like Imran say that our attack is world-class, everyone is bound to believe him. But right from the start of the one-day series, it is our bowlers who have let the side down."

But he ended on a hopeful note. "In Multan, the hype balloon finally burst and all the hot air has escaped. Hopefully, it will bring my pacers down to earth, and they will be able to pick themselves up and perform to their potential for a change."