Former skipper inzamam-ul haq’s hopes of continuing his Test career will be clear in a day or two when the Pakistan Cricket Board decides whether to select him for the second Test against South Africa. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman refused to confirm today whether the senior batsman would be considered for the match.

“We are looking into it and I will be able to say something on this in one or two days,” Ashraf said when asked about Inzamam’s future and his selection for the second Test.

Inzamam, who has joined the rebel Indian Cricket League and has retired from one-day internationals after the World Cup, was asked about his availability for the first Test against South Africa but declined for personal reasons.

Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed had said Inzamam would be considered for the second Test but after Ashraf’s comments it appears the board is still not clear about the future of their former captain. Ashraf was however, very confident about the team’s future saying their performance in the Twenty20 World Cup has boosted the self-belief of the players.

“The Twenty20 World Cup could eventually serve as a cataylst for a new era for our team because the players have gained a lot of confidence and self belief. Even in this Test match when South Africa were scoring runs, our boys said when they can make so many runs so can we,” he stated.

Ashraf said the coming Indian tour would be a big test for the Pakistan team with or without some of its senior players.

... contd.