Peshawar: Inzamam-ul Haq is less than a month away from his 36th birthday, but continues to be among the most dominant batsman of the current era and is growing as a captain. With almost 20,000 Test and ODI runs under his belt, he actually has few peers. Despite being pressed for time, Inzamam kept a promise made earlier on the tour and spoke to The Telegraph for about 45 minutes in his Pearl Continental suite on Sunday afternoon.

The following are excerpts

On being the first from Multan proper to play international cricket

Bus khali cricket ka shauk rehta tha... I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my elder brother, Intezar... He used to wear colourful tracksuits and that’s one of the things which fascinated me... Even I wanted to wear them... He played at the first-class level and it was with him that I started club cricket...

On having come through the ranks

Yes... From the U-19 level and so on... A turning point was when I joined United Bank Limited... I got picked for Pakistan after excelling for three consecutive years... Of course, I neither made a big impression on my ODI debut (20 against the West Indies, 1991-92, in Lahore) nor in my first Test (8 not out at Edgbaston, 1992).

On becoming a star during the closing stages of the 1992 World Cup

(Smiles) I couldn’t believe I would get the reception I got on returning to Multan... Thousands lined the route from the airport to my residence... There were people and more people... They were happy that, through me, Multan got recognition.

On the brilliant 60 in the semi-final versus New Zealand in Auckland

Remains one of my best... Till then, except for a 48 against South Africa, I hadn’t done anything in the tournament... Actually, more than being one of my best innings, that was a defining moment in my career... If I hadn't got runs that day, who knows...

On the influence of his first captain, Imran Khan

Bahut jyada... I didn’t play much under him, but remember he would involve seniors and take their suggestions... It’s not for me to say he would lead from the front... Imranbhai was truly inspirational and, if needed, I seek his advice. What I’ve learnt most from him is being positive, irrespective of the situation.

On whether anybody else has also had a significant influence

You may be surprised ? Diego Maradona. He wasn’t just an outstanding footballer, but a great leader... He didn’t have a great team, in 1986, but Argentina still won the World Cup... What stood out is that he made the team play around him... He acted as the leader in every sense and encouraged others to grow by his side... He supported his team... Indeed, Maradona has been an inspiration... Hopefully, I’ll get to meet him somewhere.

On having been captain for three years

The seniors weren’t there after the last World Cup and I had to motivate players junior to me... It was a process of rebuilding and each one of us realised it was up to us to either deliver or fail... Hami ko khelna tha, hami ko jeetna tha... I must compliment the boys for the way they’ve shouldered responsibility. It’s not that we haven’t lost in the last three years, but the commitment has been fantastic.

On the initiative taken by him to encourage bonding

Be it on the ground or at the team hotel, I’ve been particular about saying the prayers together... That’s one form of bonding and conveys a sense of unity and collective faith in Allah. If somebody has a problem, it’s sorted out after the prayers... Namaaz saath padhne se farak pada hai... There’s more discipline as well...

On whether anybody suggested that the prayers be said collectively

Saeed Anwar, who is now working for the Faith, talked about it... Namaaz is an integral part of every Muslim’s life and a collective exercise can only help. In the hotels, we now have a prayer room for the team.

On whether he’s going the Anwar way

(Smiles again) I do work for the Faith... There are times when I spend either three or ten days in a mosque and work in that area... I speak about Islam, not just in the mosque, but out among the awaam... I’ve worked for the Faith in Gujranwala... In Sialkot... I feel enriched and have been doing so for three years.

On life

It’s not to earn pots of money and keep making headlines... In any case, everybody can’t be rich... (After a pause) It’s every Muslim’s responsibility to ensure other members of the community are on the right path... Main apna role play karta hoon...

On whether he intends working for the Faith full-time after quitting

First, I have to understand Islam fully... I’m still learning... Yes, I’m going to work for the Faith, but also intend opening an academy... That way, I’ll be returning something to the sport which has made me the person I am. (Emotionally, after a pause) I’m going to retire at a time when people still praise my batting... My contribution to cricket in Pakistan... I’ll quit before people begin to ask ‘Inzy retire kyon nahin karta?’ Main izzat se bow out karoon ga...

On whether he could do an Imran and enter politics

I’m not the type to be a politician.

On the public nowadays not going over the top after defeats

Has helped... Has given the players confidence... Even when we lost to India in 2003-04, nobody alleged that the matches were fixed... People realised we were beaten by a better team and that you can’t only win.

On how he unwinds

Nothing is more relaxing than spending time with the family (wife Kashafa, sons Ibtisham and Ehsam and daughter Ujala)... Whenever possible, I go to the US or some other place where cricket isn’t a national obsession and I’m able to unwind with those closest to me... It’s on such vacations that I get away totally from cricket.

On being a Manchester United fan

(Laughs) Like everybody else! I also keep a track of men’s tennis and am amazed at Roger Federer’s calm consistency. I’m a fan of Andre Agassi, too, and would root for Pete Sampras when he was the undisputed champion.

On movies and songs

Hardly get the time to watch movies... As for listening to songs, it never was a hobby.

On his back problem

I don’t see myself going abroad for treatment... I’ve got specific exercises to do on a daily basis and the physio (Darryn Lifson) has made swimming compulsory.

On lending his name to a hospital project near Multan

I’ve helped in fund-raising in Pakistan and overseas... The hospital is exclusively going to be for women... Whenever approached, I do whatever is possible...

On the Pakistan he would like to see

One where every citizen in every province has the most basic facilities: Water, electricity, education and health facilities... I’m happy there’s movement in that direction... Development is taking place.

On Indo-Pak relations

I’m of the opinion that the contacts, at all levels, ought to be more.

On his hero outside cricket

Prophet Mohammed... He’s the biggest...

Finally, on staying remarkably cool even when the ball doesn’t roll his way

My approach is simple: The calmer I am, the better will be my decision-making... I don’t panic and don’t lose self-belief.