Misbah-ul-Haq: “I am especially impressed by the way some of the newer guys are performing at the international level”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has admitted that he has been highly impressed with Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam.
Zaman and Imam, who form Pakistan’s opening pair, were in red-hot form throughout the recently concluded five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Zaman made history during the series as he struck a career-best 210 not out in the fourth ODI.
Zaman joined an elite club following his spectacular knock as he became just the sixth player to score a double century in ODI cricket.
In addition, his knock was the fifth-highest in ODI history and the highest by a Pakistani batsman.
Overall, Zaman scored 515 runs in five ODIs, which included two centuries and two fifties, at an average of 257.50.
In addition to his spectacular double century, Zaman also became the fastest batsman to score 1,000 ODI runs with his knock of 85 in the fifth ODI.
As for Imam, he amassed 395 runs, which included three centuries, at an average of 79.
Azam, meanwhile, scored 184 runs, which included a century, at an average of 184.
“Overall our team is doing very well, and I am especially impressed by the way some of the newer guys are performing at the international level,” Misbah told PakPassion. “It’s also heartening to see that the team is winning more frequently with youngsters like Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam doing really well.
“We then have the likes of Imam-ul-Haq who has scored 4 hundreds in just 9 ODI innings which is a great achievement. The bowlers, for their part, are also doing well and here I would give a special mention to Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali and Usman Khan Shinwari – each of whom has been exceptional in their roles. All of these factors point to good times ahead for Pakistan cricket.”
Further praising Zaman, Misbah said: “If we go back to 2017, it was Fakhar Zaman’s inclusion in the team and his performances in the Champions Trophy which really made a huge difference after the team was under pressure due to a heavy loss in the first game against India.
“He was picked for the second game against South Africa and he pretty much changed the whole scenario for Pakistan in that tournament. The whole attitude and body language of the team was different after that game. I do believe that players like Fakhar bring something special to the team as such a player just goes into the team with confidence and expresses himself and plays his natural game, which in turn inspires the whole team to do better as well.
“This was exactly what was missing from the Pakistan team for quite some time and Fakhar is making a huge difference for the better with his attitude.”