"Mitchell Starc isn't a threat, in fact I am excited over the prospect of facing him" : Imam-ul-Haq

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Pakistani batsmen aren't supposed to utter such tripe. They need to be respectful.

I love it that Imam does not give a damn. Good on him. Go for it lad.

 

[WengerOut]

This guy has nerves of steel i can tell you. So many people want to see him fail and yet he is scoring tons of runs and to top of, these bold statements. He is clutch and come the finals, he will be the most dependable player for Pakistan.

 

[Green Patriot]

Actually he said that i am more excited to play Starc then threatened.We shouldnt use the word threat for the bowlers because the bowlers only ever become a threat if you play in to their strengths.A good batsmen would always play to his strengths all the while being cautious of the bowler's.And thats what we will look to do.

Sometimes Imam does respond arrogantly(i was an automatic selection and i have a 50 average etc etc) but this is a pretty sensible reply to me.He could have said the same old useless,yes he is a good bowler and blah blah.Instead he talked about his strengths. And yeah it sounds arrogant because Imam is more of a gritty player than a talented,fluent one who would have the capability to take on the pacers so it might seem OTT coming from him but at the end of the day he is our opener and the question is directed towards him,so he has every right to talk about his approach rather than make Starc the center of attention and create pressure on himself.

 

[Captain caveman]

Lol. People are making judgements before even watching the actual video. He said that "I personally don't see as a threat but I will be wary of his bowling".
There's no arrogance in this whatsoever.

"I personally don't see as a threat..."
Silly comment!

 

[Cric1234]

"I personally don't see as a threat..."
Silly comment!

He is giving Starc and other bowlers the bait to come hard not a great thing to do you have to back up your words with performances so far in 2 matches he's flopped and will need a real flat wicket to get into form as he struggles early on in his innings.

 

[Technics 1210]

Some people call this arrogance, I call it confidence! Well done Imam-ul-Haq - this is precisely the mentality that is needed! NO FEAR!

 

[Cric1234]

Some people call this arrogance, I call it confidence! Well done Imam-ul-Haq - this is precisely the mentality that is needed! NO FEAR!

We will find out tomorrow if the rain stays away and the wicket is green like it looks then you can only hope for the best and new unwanted records aren't set!

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

No wonder an Indian source is quoting him.
But, hey at least he's not sugarcoating anything. If he doesn't fear starc, then he just doesn't. No need to lie.

So, if a non-indian source quoted the same as above - u reckon that would a valid sound byte and pertinent? that apart - as an indian neutral i feel Inam must be confident of doing well and frankly Starc is not the same tough nut that he was a few years ago...i feel pak needs these sort of attritional combative guys to get the juices flowing and pepper up the opposition noses....good luck to pak...cheers

 

[Titan24]

I always liked his temperament and technique but now I am even more impressed with the confidence he possess which is always good to see in upcoming cricketers. Pak team has been lacking such cricketers in recent times.

Great answer with honesty, he said while Starc isnt a threat I am excited at the prospect of facing him. Didnt undermine himself but at the same time gave respect to the opponent.

 

[barah_admi]

India showed how Starc and Cummins can be negated.. Pakistan just need to follow suit..

- Play ramp up shot when they bowl bouncers
- leave good balls outside off stump
- take quick singles
- charge at the back end of the innings
- put away any bad balls if they get it

Ramp shot for bouncers?

 

[Ronaldo7]

The weather is clearing up...

 

[Pete Rose]

Sounds good to me

 

[zulfiqar]

If it hypes him up so be it! Need a good start from you Imam - best of luck!

 

[Kianig89]

Need to walk the talk now Imam Starc and Cummins are very tough customers to deal with will be a miracle if Imam scores 50+ at Sr of 90

 

[Zaz]

Good to see some confidence from the young man For too many years pakistan players have been meek and fearful

 

[MRSN]

Can't be serious. This guy is not good enough to take on someone like Starc. At best he will be tuk tukking and playing maidens and showinf his test match skills. He is talking big for someone who is quite average to be honest.

 

[MRSN]

Good to see some confidence from the young man For too many years pakistan players have been meek and fearful

Confidence is needed to be backed up and we know this guy will be tuk tukking instead of taking on the challenge. Like Imad this guy also seem like a big show off character. This is not confidence but over confidence since you can't back this with your skills.

 

[MRSN]

Need to walk the talk now Imam Starc and Cummins are very tough customers to deal with will be a miracle if Imam scores 50+ at Sr of 90

Against Cummins and Starc Imam will score at 60 strike rate.

 

[Mean&Green]

He’s right though starc is crap

 

[Khan12]

Can't be serious. This guy is not good enough to take on someone like Starc. At best he will be tuk tukking and playing maidens and showinf his test match skills. He is talking big for someone who is quite average to be honest.

This quite average player has more centuries then your hero akmal in space of a year then he did in his should career so far.

 

[Kroll]

That's the spirit lad! Now go and dish out some phainty to this Starc character.

 

[nam]

Ramp shot for bouncers?

Sorry I meant upper cut more like what Indian batsmen did in the game against Australia

 

[Mueez]

Starc hasn’t been the same bowler as he was previously before the sandpaper case.

His yorkers are a sight to watch though.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Imam mia, your wish is fulfilled. No rain today, good luck against starc n Cummins. Hope pak bats first.

 

[Captain caveman]

He is giving Starc and other bowlers the bait to come hard not a great thing to do you have to back up your words with performances so far in 2 matches he's flopped and will need a real flat wicket to get into form as he struggles early on in his innings.

Imam has an inflated opinion of himself as a cricketer. I have no hate towards him and was in fact, a huge fan of his uncle,as a cricketer! But whereas his uncle was an incredible batsman, imam is very limited.
Imam's ego is going to take a severe bruising today, i think. Might not be only his ego that takes a bruising!

 

[Afhan Ali]

Imam! You are our clutch player, concentrate on match and score a hundred with 95+ strike rate.
Go boy you are champ

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Cue for Starc to destroy us.

 

[ataullah]

What a silly statement. I strongly feel starc will eat him alive on this pitch

 

[Captain caveman]

Imam! You are our clutch player, concentrate on match and score a hundred with 95+ strike rate.
Go boy you are champ

Reminds me, my clutch on my car needs replacing!

 

[Mercurial]

At times I am not sure whether this guy is really this confident, or is he just cocky?

 

[Grunge101]

Nothing wrong with being a little cocky.

Problem is i dont believe he has the ability to take on Starc on a fast pitch. He will end up with egg on his face.

 

[saeedhk]

This guy cannot time a ball to save his life. A joke of a batsman.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Can't wait for bouncer boy to come out and back those big words later on.

 

[Ram Shekhar]

The pitch isn't going to exactly help Imam over Starc.. time to back up the words... looking forward to this battle!

 

[chacha kashmiri]

The pitch isn't going to exactly help Imam over Starc.. time to back up the words... looking forward to this battle!

It’s time to prove he can replace sharjeel latif

 

[ARK Rafay]

O boy. So here we go then

 

[Rana]

Schooled by Starc one full over

 

[Shafi]

Our players have not only big mouth but also think too highly themselves. They should keep their mouth shut and perform and stay away with those ill journalists who keep try to defame our players by adding their fabricated bit.

 

[battler]

lol beaten all ends up

 

[saeedhk]

Looks at sea against him. This guy cannot even time a ball against any half-decent bowler.

 

[Hawkeye]

BRILLIANT stuff from bhanja.

First, the statement was awesome. We need more such stuff from our players.

And now punishing Starc as well.

 

[Kaptan]

Owned Stark.
Keh ke le li.

 

[ManFan]

Refreshing to see a Pakistani player with confidence and ability to deliver on it.

 

[Stewie]

imam Actually proving his comments about starc so far. As I type this the second starc spell is in progress and Imam is still here

 

[Stewie]

Punishing cut from Imam.. through point. 4

 

[iRfaN_LA]

You guys are such sissys, its ok to have a little talk before the game.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Looks at sea against him. This guy cannot even time a ball against any half-decent bowler.

Are you watching the same match?

 

[Pete Rose]

He is Pakistan’s best batsman in a chase

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

People in PP want our team to have the Misbah mindset and forget the attacking spirit we are known for

Well done Imam so far

 

[Stewie]

Imam is actually walking the talk today. Has been the pick of the batting.. Hafeez May have a better SR but the way Imam played starc and Cummins, it has been wonderful batting

 

[W63L35]

I hope Imam proves me wrong but reaching 50 in 25th over while chasing 307 runs, is definitely not ideal batting.

 

[W63L35]

O well.... he is gone after hogging the strike for 25 overs and 50 runs at a Misbah-like S/R of 70.66.

There is your Match ka Mujrim!

 

[iRfaN_LA]

O well.... he is gone after hogging the strike for 25 overs and 50 runs at a Misbah-like S/R of 70.66.

There is your Match ka Mujrim!

His strike rate was according to the situation. Had he fallen early too, we would be 50/3. Now we are 138/3. But he should have carried on as he was well set.

 

[coy0607]

Imam is a nothing batsmen

He blocks blocks blocks and every once in a while throws the bat at the ball.

His overconfidence is a major turn off

He's quickly become my most disliked Pakistani cricketer

 

[Madplayer]

He walked the talk against Starc but still was a match losing effort overall with that 70 strike rate.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

He walked the talk against Starc but still was a match losing effort overall with that 70 strike rate.

This. In a target of 308, he scores a 50 with 70 SR

 

[Draeoftroy]

He walked the talk against Starc but still was a match losing effort overall with that 70 strike rate.

Check stats which of his 50s has helped Pakistan win a match in ODI against top 7 ranked teams. He is inept, does'nt deserve to be occupying crucial opening slot

 

[jadaja]

Why are people against Imam, he did very well even today.Pakistan batting is all about their top three too.Hafeez is very suspect against fast bowling and in my view mentally weak.Sarfraz was never a match winner.So whole else is there.

 

[Zaz]

Strike rate wasnt an issue today Its the wickets We wouldve won today if that damn middle order wasnt so pathetic

 

[jadaja]

Check stats which of his 50s has helped Pakistan win a match in ODI against top 7 ranked teams. He is inept, does'nt deserve to be occupying crucial opening slot

Are you kidding me, he played his role very well.He held the innings togther and tried to stich partnerships.He was unlucky to get out.

 

[Zhasan]

His strike rate was according to the situation. Had he fallen early too, we would be 50/3. Now we are 138/3. But he should have carried on as he was well set.

What's the point of saving the wicket if you can't score runs...you do realize in order to win an ODI you have to outscore the opponent, right???

The only reason why anyone would justify preserving their wicket is that they have limited ability to score runs...so basically for them scoring would mean giving up their wicket...

Let me get in on a billion dollar secret, how about scoring while not getting out...

If you can't do that, then you won't win any matches...and you as a batsman are no different from any joe blow off the street cause both will still contribute to losses...

 

[Draeoftroy]

Are you kidding me, he played his role very well.He held the innings togther and tried to stich partnerships.He was unlucky to get out.

Why not take him in the indian team then? You're explaining as though he is perfect replacement for Dhawan.

 

[Zhasan]

Are you kidding me, he played his role very well.He held the innings togther and tried to stich partnerships.He was unlucky to get out.

Trolling much...

His innings put unnecessary pressure on other batters to score runs and off bowling/bowlers who were more difficult to get away...

Your boy was treating Maxwell as if he was Murali on the fifth day Chennai dustbowl...he kept playing dots after dots off Glen Murali Maxwell...

If you can't score off Maxwell, how will you chase down the total?

 

[jadaja]

Why are people expecting him to score at 100 SR , that is not his game.His game is to hold one end up and score runs at 80 odd SR.Others will have to bat around him.Guy like Fakhar will get out everytime when there is some help for bowlers.

 

[jadaja]

Trolling much...

His innings put unnecessary pressure on other batters to score runs and off bowling/bowlers who were more difficult to get away...

Your boy was treating Maxwell as if he was Murali on the fifth day Chennai dustbowl...he kept playing dots after dots off Glen Murali Maxwell...

If you can't score off Maxwell, how will you chase down the total?

Are you serious .What pressure did it put, Pakistan is not losing this match because of runrate pressure.Teams score 100 plus in last ten over these days.Imam is doing just fine, you guys need to leave him alone.He is good player who will become better as he gains more experience.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Takes 2 when his team needed the most.

 

[CricketIsAwesome]

Yes, IUH did just fine. A single player can't win you matches all the time. Rest of the 10 players need to step up and perform too that's why they call it a Playing XI

 

[hadi123]

He batted fine today. The RRR was well under control when him and Hafeez were together. But you can't be getting out to balls like that when you're set, completely avoidable

 

[Green Patriot]

He batted pretty well against Starc today.

 

[Boi]

Poor poor way to get out once you’ve set the game up. Needs to fix up

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I am a critic but I felt he did okay today. If only he hadn't given his wicket away. Even if Hafeez, Imam tuk tuked till the 35th over we would have won. Just needed wickets till the end.

 

[Cric1234]

No threat Starc is top wicket taker while Imam is near the bottom of the batting charts.

 

[topspin]

Imam is a wasteman. All talk, no runs.

 

[IndianHero]

Imam had good opportunity to smash Mitchell starc out of the park in this test match but unfortunately got out in his bowling

playing starc in australia is not that difficult if u concentrate , remember even pant smashed in sydney test during India's tour of Oz

 

[big_gamer007]

Lol bumping all sorts of threads.

 

[Hawkeye]

Haha.

What a clown. Imam and Shaan, oh goodness me.

 

[Slim]

Haha.

What a clown. Imam and Shaan, oh goodness me.

Guess who selected them?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Starc is not just a threat, but one of the biggest threats for Imam on the Australian Soil.