"Whether you play India or Zimbabwe, an international team is an international team" : Imam-ul-Haq

[Abdullah719]

"Whether you play India or Zimbabwe, an international team is an international team" : Imam-ul-Haq

Imam-ul-Haq speaking after his world-record partnership with Fakhar Zaman:

"I wasn't trying to stop Fakhar from taking strike but it just naturally happened that I took a single on the last ball of a few overs and he didn't get strike for a while, both of us were laughing about it too"

"We weren't thinking about any records, we were trying to play ball to ball and over to over. The management told us to make big hundreds if we got set"

"It's a big achievement, what Fakhar has done. It's early days in his career and it takes players years to achieve what he has done. I hope Allah helps him to play many long innings. It's a big achievement. Pakistan will benefit a lot from him, he is such a talent that he can help Pakistan to one day insha'Allah win the World Cup"

"I am lucky with the start Allah gave me against Sri Lanka. The match against Ireland also gave me a lot of confidence, I don't feel like I've just played 10-12 games, we're all like brothers in the team"

"I want to learn from the way Fakhar builds momentum and uses his power game in the latter stages of his innings"

"Whether you play India or Zimbabwe, an international team is an international team. Whenever you perform against them, it gives you confidence and the stats go in your records. I have learnt a lot from this series specially about playing long innings"

 

[Abdullah719]

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What is going on here

 

[Markhor]

I'd hate to sound like Mamoon but I'm taking zero stock in any of our batting performances against Zimbabwe C.

I'm preserving judgement on our "new and improve batting" until after Asia Cup, AUS/NZ series and South Africa.

 

[babajee]

Uffff we are so obsessed with India

 

[Mamoon]

“Degree degree hoti hai, jaali ho ya asli” - Imam-ul-Haq.

 

[Darkrai]

“Degree degree hoti hai, jaali ho ya asli” - Imam-ul-Haq.

Except 210 was asli. Nothing wrong with what Imam said. I know it's hard for you to see Pakistani players do well but try not to show it all the time. It's getting annoying reading the same cr*p from you everyday.

 

[pakistani pride]

Except 210 was asli. Nothing wrong with what Imam said. I know it's hard for you to see Pakistani players do well but try not to show it all the time. It's getting annoying reading the same cr*p from you everyday.

I know bro but he is hur these days. His team counts a grand total of 3 batsmen and has 0 pacers that can do something with the ball.

So let him...

 

[Brodipet_baadshah]

Again India? Is he the same guy who felt happy when India lost in 2007 WC?

 

[kingusama92]

The current Zimbabwe team is hardly an international caliber squad with 7-8 of their main guys sitting at home.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I'd hate to sound like Mamoon but I'm taking zero stock in any of our batting performances against Zimbabwe C.

I'm preserving judgement on our "new and improve batting" until after Asia Cup, AUS/NZ series and South Africa.

Which other Pakistani batsmen in the last 10 years had the ability to score a double hundred even against a Uganda D grade team?

 

[Khan12]

Which other Pakistani batsmen in the last 10 years had the ability to score a double hundred even against a Uganda D grade team?

I guarantee if misbah and Shafiq played against this attack they will not socre a century.

 

[Markhor]

Which other Pakistani batsmen in the last 10 years had the ability to score a double hundred even against a Uganda D grade team?

More a reflection of Fakhar Zaman's development as a batsman than some wider trend of Pakistan's batting improving in ODIs.

I'm unconvinced Imam, after his struggles in NZ, has suddenly become an 85+ SR opener. The opposition are so weakened and lacking in intensity that you can't draw any conclusions from this series.

We're definitely a far cry from where we were after the 2015 World Cup, but this winter for me will tell us where we're at as a team.

 

[The_Odd_One]

More a reflection of Fakhar Zaman's development as a batsman than some wider trend of Pakistan's batting improving in ODIs.

I'm unconvinced Imam, after his struggles in NZ, has suddenly become an 85+ SR opener. The opposition are so weakened and lacking in intensity that you can't draw any conclusions from this series.

We're definitely a far cry from where we were after the 2015 World Cup, but this winter for me will tell us where we're at as a team.

Imam played just one game in NZ. Give him a break.

 

[Itachi]

it's good to see that pakistani players see indian as the "standard."

who knows.... may be some day will come again where you can match us on consistent basis and not just fluke from here and there.

 

[Markhor]

Imam played just one game in NZ. Give him a break.

What's his SR in domestic 50 over cricket ? It is extremely difficult for a batsman to go from 70 SR against inferior attacks to 85+ against international level attacks.

 

[Khan12]

it's good to see that pakistani players see indian as the "standard."

who knows.... may be some day will come again where you can match us on consistent basis and not just fluke from here and there.

Produce a fast bowler first then talk please.

 

[Itachi]

Produce a fast bowler first then talk please.

lol. why you are counting me? talk to imam ul haq who implied it.

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[The_Odd_One]

What's his SR in domestic 50 over cricket ? It is extremely difficult for a batsman to go from 70 SR against inferior attacks to 85+ against international level attacks.

Too much criticism for someone who has not played even 10 ODIs yet

 

[Terry Bollea]

What a poor comment that is. A display of minnow mentality

 

[TeamPak95]

"Whether you play India or Zimbabwe, an international team is an international team. Whenever you perform against them, it gives you confidence and the stats go in your records..."

... Imam are you reading the threads on here? If yes, then for your own good please stop. Even with your numbers you're being torn to shreds here, so whatever good form your in right now don't diminish it Come back in a few months, I think you'll be more warmly welcomed..

 

[Itachi]

Too much criticism for someone who has not played even 10 ODIs yet

That negates the overrated appreciation. Thus balance is achieved.

 

[gazza619]

I guarantee if misbah and Shafiq played against this attack they will not socre a century.

We would have probably scored 275 in 50 overs if them too were in the line up

 

[Itachi]

We would have probably scored 275 in 50 overs if them too were in the line up

But wouldn't have to face 32/8 against quality oppositions.

 

[Ab Fan]

He didnt said anything wrong and that's how any cricketer should say. Ofcourse, if PPers expect him to say, <B>"Since this inning has come against Zimbabwe, it means nothing and we shouldn't feel confident untill and unless we smash a certain Kagiso Rabada in his own backyard"</B>, then that is not going to happen.

But I loved the way he mentioned "India". Goes to show that has indeed become some kind of benchmark.

 

[Pete Rose]

It is what it is. I am unhappy about this your, but what can you do. I hope the confidence pays off in future series

 

[Mp812]

Reminds me of a thread 'Do runs against SL count'

 

[Madplayer]

But wouldn't have to face 32/8 against quality oppositions.

You do realize that these players were and still are in developing stages? They had even lesser experience when they were playing against NZ. They have played very few matches and all the hype is based on potential alone. But with time we will see them beating top sides regularly.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Not every batsmen is same.

Even Babar wouldnt have ability to score a double hundred at his pace.

Fakhar has ability hence he achieved.

The only sore spot is Zimbabwe didnt even qualify for the World Cup and the side that played the qualifiers isnt even playing now.

Its more of Zimbabwe B team.

I only feel Pakistan are not being really challenged here.

Its like when Roger Federer plays a 1000th rank club player. Sure, the win counts and its good but it doesnt tell anything about the ability of Federer. Just tells ability of the club ranked player. And if Federer hits 24 aces past him in the whole set, the record will stay. But no one will take it seriously till he does it in Slams.

Fakhar's moments will come.

I am sure of that.

Unless Pakpassion fans already make him believe he has reached the ultimate.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Both are young and inexperienced.
Big achievement for them

 

[Titan24]

More a reflection of Fakhar Zaman's development as a batsman than some wider trend of Pakistan's batting improving in ODIs.

I'm unconvinced Imam, after his struggles in NZ, has suddenly become an 85+ SR opener. The opposition are so weakened and lacking in intensity that you can't draw any conclusions from this series.

We're definitely a far cry from where we were after the 2015 World Cup, but this winter for me will tell us where we're at as a team.

Struggles against NZ?

How many matches he played? 1?

 

[Hasan123]

This Zimbabwe team is rubbish. The players can't say that obviously.

 

[Titan24]

I'd hate to sound like Mamoon but I'm taking zero stock in any of our batting performances against Zimbabwe C.

I'm preserving judgement on our "new and improve batting" until after Asia Cup, AUS/NZ series and South Africa.

There would be Srl, Bng and Afg, and people would say this performance doesnt count.

Whether Pak wins against Aus in the final or comprehensively beat Zimbabwe which was playing with the same bowling attack except creamer against India and IPL legend Raydu scored 62 of 120 balls and Rahul scored a 100 at SR of 85 while chasing 170 odd which they did in 42 overs.

For some people performance is never going to count whether Pak wins CT 17 or beat any team.

And yes its all Pakistan’s fault that teams playing international cricket with test and ODI are not good enough. Only time they are good in when the beat Pakistan and if its vice versa than either its a fluke or the performance doesnt count.

 

[Titan24]

Too much criticism for someone who has not played even 10 ODIs yet

I never realized it earlier but many posters have their own favourites and they dont stop the support no matter what comes their way.

I can bet if these 3 centuries which Imam scored were scored by either Haris Sohail, Saud Shakeel etc at the same rate and against the same opposition we would have been reading many appreciation threads.

I am not saying Imam is extraordinary, I know he has a lot to improve but so do the favourites of some of these posters.

A 22 year old guy scoring 3 centuries and not even have played 10 ODIs for Gods sake guys.

I just want Pakistan cricket team to do well no matter who plays in it, if he helps Pak win matches I am his fan.

Good thing is its Mickey as the coach and not someone like some of our poster so ge isnt gonna drop Imam unless he start scoring ducks before the world cup.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

He talks way too much

I cringe each time

 

[Markhor]

There would be Srl, Bng and Afg, and people would say this performance doesnt count.

Whether Pak wins against Aus in the final or comprehensively beat Zimbabwe which was playing with the same bowling attack except creamer against India and IPL legend Raydu scored 62 of 120 balls and Rahul scored a 100 at SR of 85 while chasing 170 odd which they did in 42 overs.

For some people performance is never going to count whether Pak wins CT 17 or beat any team.

And yes its all Pakistan’s fault that teams playing international cricket with test and ODI are not good enough. Only time they are good in when the beat Pakistan and if its vice versa than either its a fluke or the performance doesnt count.

Stop putting words into my mouth or paint me as some Mamoon-esque ultra pessimist. I argue with him all the time about his fluke nonsense. My long posting history on here shows I'm anything but that.

I gave credit to Pakistan for being professional and avoiding complacency. They can't help that they are facing woeful quality opposition.

However this series is being played at the intensity of exhibition matches and is not a true test of our abilities. We were 32-8 in Dunedin only a few months ago in a 5-0 whitewash in NZ where our batting failed in nearly every game, so I doubt our batting flaws have suddenly disappeared after facing the mighty Tiripano, Ngarava etc.

I call it as I see it and you don't like that then that's not my problem.

 

[ads101]

I never realized it earlier but many posters have their own favourites and they dont stop the support no matter what comes their way.

I can bet if these 3 centuries which Imam scored were scored by either Haris Sohail, Saud Shakeel etc at the same rate and against the same opposition we would have been reading many appreciation threads.

Probably lol.

I agree that these scores don't tell us much. People also forget however Imam scored a debut century against Sri Lanka who were not playing their C team then (T20s they did, but they didn't in ODIs). Imam averaged 50 even before this Zimbabwe series started.

He got one match against New Zealand. And pretty much every Pakistani batsman failed, were tough conditions. Hence it's harsh people using the excuse exposed by better bowling by New Zealand. Was one match. There was little reasoning he was chucked out of the side by Azhar Ali really.

At the very least Imam earnt his place in the side. That's all. If he had not scored against Sri Lanka, I don't think Imam would even be in the team anymore, perhaps not even squad. Had very few chances to prove himself and started off with a bang.

I think people are just desperate that Haris open (otherwise it seems like he's gonna be out of the side), or desperate to try out Farhan. But Imam's earnt his place. I wasn't in favour of him initially, his domestic averages are too low, fears he's too slow, hard to fit him on with existing players. But fair is fair, he performed in ODIs, and he showed good potential in test too. You can't take that away from him.

So I don't like it when people say he's getting a run down to bashing Zimbabwe. Instead why not say he's getting run as he has a debut century against Sri Lanka.

 

[Suleiman]

As said before I don't give a rat's behind about this series, but I'm still very grateful for such an ODI team. That wretched 2012-2015 period seems like a faded memory now when we used to struggle to 230 with dazzling Shehzad and blessed in all facets leading the way.

If we do well in the series that matters at the end of this year/early 2019 vs SAF then we can finally say our duas as Pak fans have paid off as this would be the best ODI team we've had since the 2011 WC. Hell, I'd say the best ODI outfit we've had in the past 10 years.

That series if we win, will mean as much to me as the CT 2017, because there's still that bad taste in our mouths after that horrible 2013 ODI series where we were amateurish and flukey. Fakhar vs QdK, Hasan vs Rabada, Asif Ali vs JP... okay maybe I'm dreaming a little but I'm still pumped to play a quality ODI side after so long on sporting tracks.

I have to admit though, I don't mind us being better in ODIs than we are in tests, as I've seen that period already.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Those overrated Misbah minnow centuries...

Oh wait.

 

[kingusama92]

No need to praise or criticize.

You remove the "international match" status and this is more of a practice match in terms of quality. Would anyone go around parading a century against Yorkshire?

It tells us little about the player's ability.

 

[Markhor]

No need to praise or criticize.

You remove the "international match" status and this is more of a practice match in terms of quality. Would anyone go around parading a century against Yorkshire?

It tells us little about the player's ability.

How dare you ?!

 

[Hasan123]

Stop putting words into my mouth or paint me as some Mamoon-esque ultra pessimist. I argue with him all the time about his fluke nonsense. My long posting history on here shows I'm anything but that.

I gave credit to Pakistan for being professional and avoiding complacency. They can't help that they are facing woeful quality opposition.

However this series is being played at the intensity of exhibition matches and is not a true test of our abilities. We were 32-8 in Dunedin only a few months ago in a 5-0 whitewash in NZ where our batting failed in nearly every game, so I doubt our batting flaws have suddenly disappeared after facing the mighty Tiripano, Ngarava etc.

I call it as I see it and you don't like that then that's not my problem.

Ignore him. You are balanced in your opinions. It's fine to support the team but posters like him won't ever dare saying negative or critical of the team.

 

[happydavy]

I think batting has a lot to do with confidence, and this tour at the very least should give Pakistan openers a lot of self confidence about scoring big centuries, and that to me is the greatest positive from this series.

It's always easier to repeat something than doing it for the first time.

 

[venomousx]

Why are we allowing tuk-tuk culture back into the team?

 

[Hawkeye]

Stop putting words into my mouth or paint me as some Mamoon-esque ultra pessimist. I argue with him all the time about his fluke nonsense. My long posting history on here shows I'm anything but that.

I gave credit to Pakistan for being professional and avoiding complacency. They can't help that they are facing woeful quality opposition.

However this series is being played at the intensity of exhibition matches and is not a true test of our abilities. We were 32-8 in Dunedin only a few months ago in a 5-0 whitewash in NZ where our batting failed in nearly every game, so I doubt our batting flaws have suddenly disappeared after facing the mighty Tiripano, Ngarava etc.

I call it as I see it and you don't like that then that's not my problem.

You're good, ignore em. Though, you should try to be a bit more critical, more often.

Too much positivity isn't good.

 

[Titan24]

Stop putting words into my mouth or paint me as some Mamoon-esque ultra pessimist. I argue with him all the time about his fluke nonsense. My long posting history on here shows I'm anything but that.

I gave credit to Pakistan for being professional and avoiding complacency. They can't help that they are facing woeful quality opposition.

However this series is being played at the intensity of exhibition matches and is not a true test of our abilities. We were 32-8 in Dunedin only a few months ago in a 5-0 whitewash in NZ where our batting failed in nearly every game, so I doubt our batting flaws have suddenly disappeared after facing the mighty Tiripano, Ngarava etc.

I call it as I see it and you don't like that then that's not my problem.

Lol! Bro you it wasnt that dramatic you are trying to make it and not only specific to you though I quoted you. You have every right to think the way you want.

 

[Titan24]

Ignore him. You are balanced in your opinions. It's fine to support the team but posters like him won't ever dare saying negative or critical of the team.

Yes I might be missing something. Can you please share some negatives?

One thing just came to my mind is without Shinwari we are struggling to get wickets with new ball.

 

[Titan24]

When are the records against weaker teams being diminished?
Waiting for that as many have voted.

Tendulkar 100 100s wont be their anymore as well and also all those world cup records against Kenya, bermuda etc. Fair enough