But he went from hero to zero in quick time as India clinched a crushing victory in Multan of all places in the opening Test.

And even though Pakistan fought back to level the series, they were hammered in the decider, which clinched India's first ever Test series triumph in Pakistan.

It sparked off recriminations which were predictably furious and Inzamam began them by questioning the commitment of star paceman Shoaib Akhtar.

Previous skippers had been axed for far less but Inzamam was retained, although coach Javed Miandad would soon be replaced by Englishman Bob Woolmer.