Inzamam hit back at the team's critics during a news conference in Lahore, which followed their first round exit from the Cricket World Cup.

Questions have been asked about the manner of their defeats by West Indies and Ireland in the Caribbean.

"It's unfair to talk about match-fixing now after the World Cup defeats," the 37-year-old commented.

"The loss to Ireland was the most difficult day of my life. I take all the responsibility." Inzamam accused the Pakistan media of "unnecessarily tarnishing" the team's image.

"No-one knows what the team went through after the loss to Ireland. Players live in fear of what happens if we lose. The media knows only how to attack us and not support us," he said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has responded to the team's early elimination from the World Cup by suspending the players' central contracts -- which will be replaced by performance-based deals for future series and competitions.

Despite that, PCB chairman Dr Naseem Ashraf said it was "not the time to panic or overreact" even though people were "angry and disgusted" by the team's results.

A three-man performance evaluation committee of former Test players Ijaz Ahmed, Salim Altaf and Salahuddin Ahmed has been set up and will report to the board within 30 days.

Inzamam, meanwhile, is still hoping to continue his international career despite deciding to give up the captaincy.

Although he has retired from one-day internationals, he wants to continue playing for the team in Test matches, although that will depend on a new selection committee which has yet to be appointed after the previous three-man panel resigned.

"I took the decision to retire from one-dayers before the World Cup. One-day cricket has become a very fast game. I am only human," he explained.

Younis Khan is favourite to take over but Dr Ashraf ruled out a "hasty decision".

During the news conference, reporters were prevented from asking questions about the death of coach Bob Woolmer, who was murdered in his hotel room only hours after the match against Ireland.

Dr Ashraf said they would probably look for a replacement from within Pakistan, but added: "It will take some time to find a suitable man. We don't want to rush into things and regret it later."