Pakistan Cricket Board Media Release

Inzamam-ul-Haq was appointed Pakistan captain for the home series against South Africa and New Zealand. The decision was made on Thursday in a meeting that was chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Tauqir Zia. Also present were Chief Executive Rameez Raja, Chairman of Selectors Aamer Sohail, Pakistan coach Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Inzamam replaces wicketkeeper Rashid Latif who Wednesday resigned from the job. His resignation was also accepted by the PCB Chairman in a meeting that lasted nearly two hours.

Rashid Latif was, however, named in a 16-man team that was later announced by Aamer Sohail for the five-match one-day international series against South Africa. The opening match of the series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 3 and the training camp for the series will begin at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore from September 26.

"It has been a difficult decision to accept Rashid Latif's resignation because of his wonderful contributions to the young Pakistan team after the World Cup. But I guess, life has to go on and Rashid will continue to make useful contributions in days to come," PCB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Tauqir Zia said in a statement.

"I had a lengthy discussion with Inzamam-ul-Haq and he looks geared up and motivated to lead the Pakistan team. He understands that he has a tough job in hand and realizes that he not only has to lead the team in a tough series against South Africa but also continue the good job done by Rashid.

"The PCB has complete faith and trust in Inzamam's abilities and we wish him all the best in the future endeavors," General Tauqir said.

"Inzamam is a player in form and has all the ingredients to lead from the front and by example. He can be a big source of inspiration and motivation to his young boys."

Inzamam was delighted with the news. "I am delighted that the establishment has put faith in my abilities. I will put in my best and will try to carry on the good work done by Rashid Latif.

"There will be pressure on me. But I guess after playing for 13 odd years, one has to raise his hand and say yes I can handle this pressure and shoulder the hopes of millions of Pakistan supporters.

"I may not have captained a lot but I have played under great captains like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis Moin Khan and Rashid Latif and have certainly learnt a lot about this game. My approach will be positive and that is all I would like to tell my boys. The key to success will be positive cricket," he said in a statement.

The Pakistan cricket selectors named spin magicians Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq for the series.

"Mushtaq Ahmed has been recalled after his excellent performance in England. Although the opposition (in England) might not be as tough as the South Africans. But the great thing is that he is bowling well and taking a lot of wickets. There is no denying the fact that a lot is expected of him in the forthcoming series," Aamer Sohail said.

Aamer said the selectors had picked the best available 16 players for the one-day series. "The time for experimentation is over and now only those players who have cashed in on the opportunities in the series against Bangladesh, will be picked for the series against South Africa.

"It is a tough series and we have to field the best boys. This series means a lot to the Pakistan team and the country."

Aamer said Rashid Latif still had a lot to deliver. "I think his availability as a player will help Inzamam a lot because he has been working with the young boys for the last five months and must have now understood the psyche of the boys. I am sure Inzamam will benefit from Rashid's presence. Besides, there are no two opinions that Rashid Latif is the best wicketkeeper in the country today."

Squad (for the five-match one-day series against South Africa):
Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Rashid Latif (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Shabbir Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal and Salman Butt.
Reserves: Asim Kamal, Imran Farhat, Faisal Athar, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal and Abdul Rauf.

Shoaib Mohammad XI (for October 1 practice match against South Africa):
Faisal Athar, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Naved Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Kamran Akmal, Sajid Shah, Najaf Shah, Wahab Riaz, Tariq Mahmood, Bilal Asad and Sohail Ahmed.