Imam-ul-Haq: “The only thing I can do is to perform with the bat and play positively”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has acknowledged that he will constantly be scrutinised due to the fact that he is the nephew of chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, but he plans to silence his doubters and critics through a series of strong performances.

A lot of people were skeptical when Imam was picked in the Test squad for the tours of Ireland and England, but the 22-year-old has already made his presence felt.

Not only did he make scores of 61 and 59 not out in the warm-up matches against Kent and Northamptonshire, but he also struck an unbeaten 74 to lead Pakistan to victory in the historic Test against Ireland, who were making their debut in the longest format.

Despite this, Imam knows that he will constantly be in the spotlight as his critics will be waiting to pounce and call for his removal from the team should he go through a rough patch with the bat.

“I am used to it now. Initially when I was selected for the ODI team, there was a lot of pressure back then, but I performed well and now I am confident and am looking forward [to] the upcoming tour of England,” he was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “This is a reality that I am his [Inzamam] nephew. I cannot change my blood relations.

“The only thing I can do is to perform with the bat and play positively. There was a lot of talk when I was selected for the first time, but that came down when I made it into the Test squad.”

Having showed such maturity in his Test debut, Imam hopes to replicate his success against Ireland in the two-Test series against England, which begins on Thursday at Lord’s.

“I am really looking forward for this tour [of England], and am hopeful to get good results during the tour,” he said.