Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq look forward to their upcoming assignment against Australia and the challenge of facing ace pacer Mitchell Starc. The cricketer said that he has gained a lot of confidence by facing up to the likes of Jofra Archer, Dale Steyn and Mark Wood and therefore the 23-year-old relishes the much-anticipated battle.
Imam set for the ‘Starc challenge’
“Starc isn’t a threat,” said Imam. “In fact, I am excited over the prospect of facing him. Same was said about Archer and Wood but we played them with confidence. I have played Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn in more difficult conditions in South Africa,” said Imam, referring to his side’s tour of South Africa in 2018. In that particular ODI series, the youngster was the highest scorer with 271 runs from fives games, including a hundred.
After getting floored for 105 against the Windies, Pakistan made a spirited comeback by beating the hosts England in emphatic fashion. The side scored 348/8 and Iman contributed with a solid 44. “You can’t say a bowler is threatening,” he said. “I try to prepare according to my strengths instead of bowlers’ strengths. I don’t think like that, because you need to beat top teams if you want to play the World Cup final.” he added.
Imam announced his arrival in international cricket by hitting a hundred on debut against Sri Lanka in 2017. His skill-set helped him establish in the cricketing circuit and eliminate the talks of the influence of being the nephew of former Pakistan cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq, who also happens to be the chief-selector of the national team.
He has exposure to the English conditions as he hit a stunning 151 against the hosts in a bilateral series just ahead of the World Cup. Though Pakistan failed to win a single game in the series, both the sides piled up 300-plus totals at will.