Inzamam ready to quit test cricket

KARACHI, Pakistam -- Inzamam-ul Haq will quit test cricket after next week's Lahore meeting between Pakistan and South Africa.

The former Pakistan captain said: "I have told the selectors of my availability for the Lahore test, which will be my last.

"I feel this is the right time as the youngsters have played well," he declared.

The second test starts on Monday.

"It is a tough decision but it is the best for me and my country," said Inzamam who was unavailable for the current test in Karachi.

The 37-year-old from Multan needs another 20 runs to surpass Javed Miandad's Pakistan record of 8,832 Test runs made in 124 Tests.

Inzamam has so far played 119 Tests and scored a Pakistan record of 25 Test centuries.

Inzamam was captain of the Pakistan side that controversially refused to take the field against England during a dispute over ball-tampering at The Oval in August 2006. As a result the umpires ruled that Pakistan had forfeited the game.

He retired from one-day cricket and quit the captaincy following Pakistan's first round exit from the World Cup held in the West Indies this year. They suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of Ireland during the tournament. E-mail to a friend