In a surprising and candid admission, Pakistan’s opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq openly challenged his critics after delivering a powerful 93-run performance on the first day of the Lahore Test against South Africa. He directly addressed concerns about his “discipline” and “attitude,” asserting that these were never areas he felt the need to improve.
“I’ve invested heavily in refining my batting and developing new shots,” Imam explained to reporters, “but frankly, I haven’t focused on enhancing my ‘discipline’ because it’s simply not a problem I’ve ever encountered, nor has anyone ever raised concerns about my attitude with me.”
This match marked Imam-ul-Haq’s return to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus, with his last appearance being in Australia in December 2023.
“I have no further comments on that. My key takeaway is that when an opportunity arises, it’s crucial to seize it fully, especially since we are fortunate enough to represent Pakistan among millions.”
Reflecting on narrowly missing a century, the left-handed batsman elaborated, “My primary focus has been on developing my shot-making. You can’t afford to get stagnant or stuck in the middle of an innings; that’s something that has historically hindered us and cost us crucial matches.”
Regarding play on spin-friendly pitches, Imam added, “I believe even South Africa is aware of what to expect here. However, as professional cricketers, we are always expected to adapt to diverse conditions. Therefore, when we travel internationally, it’s our responsibility to prepare meticulously and adjust our game accordingly for each series.”