Inzamam terms century one of the best

Karachi, March 14: Inzamam-ul-Haq termed his ninth career century as one of the finest but didn't hide his displeasure over the behaviour of the Sri Lankans.

"It has come at a time when I and the team desperately needed it. This innings should help a long way in reviving the fortunes of Pakistan cricket for future assignments," he told reporters. But Inzamam, normally a very cool customer, criticized the attitude of the Sri Lanka close-in fielders and accused them of using abusive language.

"They were sometimes sledging but during the entire course of my innings, they continuously disturbed my concentration by speaking during the deliveries or when the bowler was ready to start his run-up," he said.

Inzamam said he tried his best to ignore them but when he lost his patience, he went to the umpire and lodged a complained. "There has to be a limit and I think they had crossed it. If the opposition crosses the norms of the game, the best way is to complain to the umpires than to react yourself."

He said he had gone into the Test with a very positive approach. He said he was confident that he would score runs. "It was a good wicket to bat on but needed concentration and time to graft the innings. I am glad that I did both," he said.

Inzamam said the celebrations would complete when Pakistan win this match "which is so very important for us. The series is lost but a victory here would restore our confidence and self-belief."

The new Pakistan vice-captain said Muttiah Muralitharan was a world class bowler "but with all due respect, he has taken wickets after bowling more than 35 overs in an innings. I am not trying to discredit his efforts or challenge his abilities, but I like the bowlers who run through the opposition in something around 20 overs." He said the middle-order crumbled against Muralitharan because they went overboard by becoming overcautious. "We tried to play him defensively than attack him. He is a bowler who will not let you play if you restrict your shots." He added that if Pakistan had Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmad in Peshawar, the fate of that match and the series would have been different.