LAHORE, Nov 25: Two years ago Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq had packed his cricket bag and decided to retire during a Test against Bangladesh in his hometown Multan.

“I thought about retiring when I out for eight in the first innings. I was struggling to make runs. I thought the time had come to quit and go out gracefully,” Inzamam said.

“I spoke to Saeed Anwar (former Pakistan captain), he said there is one more innings remaining and if God wants you to continue you will.”

Inzamam scored an unbeaten 138 and put on 98 runs with the last two wickets to secure a one-wicket win to save Pakistan from an embarrassing defeat.

On Thursday he joined the ranks of batting greats with centuries in each innings of the second Test against England and became Pakistan top century maker with 24 hundreds.

For Inzamam, 35, who was dropped after the 2003 World Cup for poor form, life has changed after the hundred against Bangladesh.

“It is strange how things can change so quickly. I was made captain when I was thinking about leaving cricket. Since than God has given me a lot of success,” he said.

Only picked for Pakistan on the insistence of former great Imran Khan in 1991 and always seen as too lazy and laidback, Inzamam is proving to be an inspirational leader of his young team.

In 16 games as captain, he averages over 55 runs and has scored four hundreds in his last eight innings.

Inzamam believes success has come due to religious faith and prayers.

“We pray together and it has helped us bond as a team. Take care and support each other. It has taught us to be forgiving and helped us become more united.

“We don’t have any great players like in the past. But this team is more close and determined,” he said.

Inzamam, who sports a full-grown beard, aside from cricket also takes part in spreading the word of Islam.

He dismisses fears about the team becoming a hub for religious extremism.

“Islam does not preach forcing others for prayers. But saying prayers is a duty and gives you peace of mind.

“There is no pressure on anyone to say his prayers. It is a wrong impression that I am forcing anyone to become religious.

“If that was the case Danish (Kaneria) would not be so relaxed and performing so well,” he said.

Kaneria is the only Hindu and non-Muslim in the side after Christian batsman Yousuf Youhana took the name of Mohammad Yousuf and converted to Islam.

“There is no pressure on Danish, he is free to practice his religion and Yousuf became a Muslim of his own free will. I am no religious role model for anyone.”

Despite his impressive record of 7,955 Test runs and 10,971 runs in one-dayers, Inzamam has set no personal ambitions.

“I am taking my batting and captaincy on a day to day basis. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. I don’t make big plans I go series by series. As a unit we are improving and working very hard. We are gaining experience with every match.”

He remains confident that Pakistan will be strong candidate in the next World Cup in 2007.

Inzamam credits English coach Bob Woolmer for making the team more organised.

The Pakistan board hired the former England player last year after an embarrassing home series loss to India.

It also kept faith with Inzamam, which is paying dividends.

“He is a good coach, very organised and good at communicating with the players which is so important to make a good team,” he said.

Inzamam’s immediate task is to burst England’s ashes bubble by retaining a 1-0 lead in the final test in Lahore next week.

“We can’t lose this series but there is still lot of hard work remaining in the test and one-day series.”

Pakistan has not won a Test series since Dec 2003 when it beat New Zealand.—Reuters