In the lead-up to Pakistan’s crucial ICC Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan, batter Imam-ul-Haq has come to the defense of his team’s bowling performance. Pakistan, despite having a 100% win rate in ODIs at Chennai, is facing criticism after experiencing two significant losses in the tournament. Imam-ul-Haq acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.
Imam highlighted that the ongoing World Cup has witnessed exceptionally high-scoring matches, making conditions challenging for bowlers. He noted that these conditions are not specific to Pakistan, as many teams have struggled to contain opposing batters.
The Pakistani batter explained, “See if you see here all matches are very high scoring. It is not that it is only against our team. If you look at the other teams also, they are scoring 350 – 360, like yesterday there was a score of 400 (between England and South Africa – so it is not that only our bowlers are being beaten.”
“The grounds here are small, the wickets are good, and when the batsmen are set, the margin for the bowlers is very low.”
Imam, while acknowledging that the situation is far from ideal, expressed his belief in the team’s potential and highlighted that there have been moments of brilliance, even in challenging matches. He mentioned that Pakistan’s bowlers, such as Shaheen Afridi, have performed well in certain phases, controlling opponents effectively.
Regarding Pakistan’s disappointing batting performance, particularly the absence of sixes during powerplays, Imam emphasized that the primary focus is on contributing to the team’s success rather than individual milestones. He humorously suggested that the team might need to change its dietary preferences to enhance its power-hitting abilities. The batter’s primary concern is how the team performs as a whole and whether they secure victories.
Imam-ul-Haq also shared his optimism for the upcoming match against Afghanistan, emphasizing that Pakistan has previously triumphed against Afghanistan in spin-friendly conditions. He believes that the team’s preparation and the ability to back themselves will be instrumental in facing Afghanistan’s spinners effectively.
As Pakistan prepares to face Afghanistan, Imam-ul-Haq underlines the importance of maintaining a positive and forward-looking approach. Despite recent setbacks, the team remains confident in its ability to rebound and perform at its best in the upcoming World Cup matches.
