Inzamam-ul-Haq bats for 'friendly' Gujarat

SURAT: Foreign players will be tempted to play in Gujarat because it is one of the most hospitable states in the country, former Pakistani cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said here on Thursday.
Inzamam is in the city as head coach of Afghanistan cricket team, which is set to play five warm up matches against Gujarat before the T-20 World Cup in March in India.
Inzamana, who has visited Gujarat a number of times during his playing days, said, “I always found people of Gujarat very hospitable and their love will tempt any foreign player to come and play here.“
Inzamam took over as Afghanistan cricket team's head coach in October 2015.He was the team's batting coach consultant when it beat a full member of International Cricket Council (ICC) in the one-day cricket series.
Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai said, “Inzamam­ul-Haq as coach has brought about many positive changes to the team. We didn't know how to tackle pressure and lacked discipli ne earlier. We are learning fast and could beat Zimbabwe.“
The Afghanistan team will be playing warm up matches against Gujarat on February 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14 at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium.
Inzamam remembered the bilateral series played between India-­Pakistan during 2004 and 2005-06. “Players from both the teams are overwhelmed by the love they get in India and Pakistan. There is lot of pressure on players on ground but when they are not playing, they are showered with love by people,“ he said, advocating resumption of bilateral cricket series between the two countries. “India­Pakistan series in world cricket is always a high-pressure game but people in both countries want it to be played regularly,“ Inzamam added.