I will bat at No 4 in the Carribean, says Inzy

Lahore, Mar 1 (UNI) Fed up with constant criticism of his strategy, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is ready to bat up the order in this month's World Cup, in a bid to strengthen his team's batting line-up during the Caribbean assignment.

''I am looking forward to bat at number four in the World Cup,'' Inzamam said media persons here on Tuesday, ahead of his team's departure for the West Indies slated tomorrow.

''It might help bring further stability in our team's batting, which is a must in what would be a very tough tournament,'' he added.

He has been criticised by several former Pakistan greats including Imran Khan who believes that the big guy should start taking more responsibility both as the team's premier batsman and captain.

Inzamam has been far from consistent in recent times and has been playing at number five or six in one-dayers.

Experts like former Pakistan Test opener Aamer Sohail have disapproved this approach terming it as 'too defensive' and have asked Inzamam to promote himself up the order.

''Inzamam has wasted the team's last three years and it is time for him to compensate for it. One way to do that is to once again start playing like the team's most valuable batsman,'' Sohail said.

Currently, Pakistan's most in-form batsman Mohammad Yousuf plays at number four position.

However, the skipper, who turns 38 on March 3, believes that defending champions Australia and South Africa would be the toughest teams to beat in this World Cup.

''You cannot predict who will win the title, but I personally feel that the two toughest teams to beat would be Australia and South Africa,'' he said.

UNI