Inzi8217;s roots

In the bustling old city of Multan, near the Ghanta Ghar, a winding bylane leads to Mohalla Toia Alam Shah. It was in the courtyard of a hou...

In the bustling old city of Multan, near the Ghanta Ghar, a winding bylane leads to Mohalla Toia Alam Shah. It was in the courtyard of a house in this Mohalla, that a young Inzamam-ul Haq learnt to hold a bat.

On one of the walls in the square courtyard are marks of what used to be Inzamam8217;s makeshift stumps. A door at the back of the courtyard leads to a narrow alley where Inzi played cricket with his neighbours.

Inzamam no longer stays in this house. He shifted to Lahore soon after he played for Pakistan in the Junior World Cup in 1988, but the tales of his childhood float around the neighbourhood. 8216;8216;Inzamam was the youngest of 5 brothers and one sister. He used to play cricket since he was a youngster but we never really thought he would represent Pakistan8217;8217;, reminisces first cousin Syed Mohtsham-ul-Haq.

Inzamam also has fond memories of his childhood. 8216;8216;I was the youngest and my elder brothers made sure I had everything I needed. They took care of my cricket requirements, which helped me concentrate on the game.8217;8217;

THE COMBINED CLUB

Just across the Muslim School, where Inzamam studied, is a ground which buzzes with sounds of cricketing activity 8212; young kids practicing their favourite sport. It is the home ground for many clubs, including the Combined Club, with which Inzamam is still associated.

It is at the same ground that Inzamam8217;s maternal uncle, Javed Ilyas, introduced him to club cricket. The same sports ground is now a Pakistan Cricket Board coaching centre, inaugurated a year ago.

HAPPY HUNTING GROUND

Multan is special for Inzamam for other reasons as well. It is here in his hometown that Inzi played his first one day international and captained Pakistan for the first time in Tests. 8216;8216;I8217;ve always played well in Multan 8212; at the old Qasim Fort grounds and even at the new stadium. I hope I continue performing well here8217;8217;, he says. He has two unbeaten centuries in three Test innings at Multan; staring down the barrel, Pakistan will hope desperately for a third.