Inzamam - Gentle Giant
As i was having my ‘Set Dosai’ in Lakshmi Sagar, (Boy it belongs to the super heavy weight cataegory), the guy opposite to me was talking about American terrorism in Iraq(thats the way i see it), Godhra, India - Pakistan cricket etc.
But what he said about Inzamam stood out.
“Saar, naan yaarro avan yaaro, ana pakistan captainlaye rombo nalla, amaidhiyana player Inzamam dhaan”
The kind of goodwill Inzamam has in India is amazing.
I really wanted Inzi to come good this series. Was really happy about his big hundred in Bangalore.
The great Imran Khan said that talent-wise Inzi is ahead of Sachin but then Sachin has much better cricketing brain. I thought cricketing brain is also part of talent.
But Inzi is a tremendous player. No question about that.
He was picked by the legendary Khan after seeing him play Waqar as though he was a club bowler in the nets. Imran went about saying only Viv Richards could have played Waqar with so much time and disdain. Inzi is truly the gentle giant of Pakistan cricket.
Thinking about Inzi, two images crop up my mind.
The way he demolished the Kiwis in 1992 worldcup semifinal in Auckland and helped Pakistan storm into the final. He hit 60 of 36 balls in that innings. Awesome power.
When we talk about Inzi we cannot quite stay away from run-outs i guess.
Yes, the other is Jonty Rhodes flying in to run- out Inzamam in the same world cup.
The run-out of the century in my opinion.
The photograph in the next day’s HINDU will remain etched in my memory for ever.
March 27th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
thanks for visiting my blog Prabu.
as the passerby said, Inzi bhai is one the few gentle cricketers from the neighbouring country. Controlled agression would be an apt term for him.. ie., he wd show his aggression in the game, not against the players. Its a treat to watch him when he is on a song.
March 29th, 2005 at 12:45 am
Chakkra
Namma inziyai pugaldha neram. match sivasambo ayiduchu.
To mimic Azhar “They batted well, bowled well and fielded well. The better team won”
Periya kandupidippu:-)