When Pakistan resume their fourth innings on 108/1 on Thursday morning, they need the small matter of another 349 further runs to claim a record breaking victory against South Africa in Lahore

If anyone can achieve this it’s the mercurial Pakistan cricket team. Unbelievaly fantastic on some days to painfully awful on others, they have the ability to score at the required 3.8 runs per over.

Surely with such a record on the stage is set for one man: Inzmam Ul-Haq. Playing in his last game for his country, and requiring 6 runs to go past Javed Miandad’s national run scoring record, there could be no more fitting an end for a cricketer loved at home, and respected world-wide.

Inzamam of course would want to finish in such away, but as a service to his country, and without the fanfare, for Inzy is the reluctant entertainer.

A batsman who’s calmness and serenity is that of a man who could be taking the dog for a walk, not easing the ball through the covers to the raptures of a nation.

Whilst it is hard to deny his commitment to Pakistan cricket, he never gave the appearance of trying that hard either. Neither could the timing of his retirement be seen as selfish, given that the golden 10,000 mark is well within his grasp.

What ever happens tomorrow though, Inzamam will be missed. From his powerfully subtle stroke-play, to his comical running between the wickets and who will never forget that laconic trudge back to the pavillion.

Like the reluctant heir to a throne, Inzamam was born to be the empirical entertainer of Pakistan cricket, and tomorrow could bring the curtain down in fitting style.