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Pakistan’s opening batter Imam-ul-Haq has voiced his concerns over the team’s selection policies and performance inconsistencies, calling the current state of Pakistan cricket the worst he has experienced in his seven-year career.
Speaking in an interview with a local sports platform, Imam openly criticized the selectors for their inconsistent criteria, accusing them of fostering favoritism and impacting players’ confidence.
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Imam on Team’s Performance and Recent Failures
Imam reflected on the team’s struggles in recent tournaments, particularly pointing to their shocking loss to the USA and a narrow defeat to India.
- “Losing that match (to the USA) and then to India… You come to a winning situation where you need a run-a-ball and then lose from that point,” Imam lamented.
- He described the loss to the USA as a major blow to Pakistan’s reputation and position in the competition.
- Imam also hinted at deeper issues within the team during the T20 World Cup, stating, “I wasn’t in the T20 World Cup, but I’ve heard a few stories that I feel are worse than the ODI World Cup.”
Imam admitted his understanding of the situation was limited to discussions with captain Babar Azam, which he described as “partial insight.”
Concerns Over Selection Policies
Imam criticized the selection committee for inconsistent treatment of players, highlighting the long-standing culture of favoritism:
- “We gave our players consistent chances, but we didn’t get the results in the ODI World Cup. Other sides rely on giving consistent opportunities,” he said.
- He pointed out the disparity in opportunities provided to players, stating, “If you are giving a player 15 matches while another player of similar caliber gets only three matches, then you’re creating problems for yourself.”
The left-handed opener also expressed concerns about the impact of this approach on the team’s morale and confidence.
- “The confidence of every player is shaken from top to bottom. I don’t think I’ve seen Pakistan play this badly in my seven-year career.”
Hope for Revival Through Victories
Despite the ongoing challenges, Imam stressed the importance of victories in rebuilding the team’s confidence.
- “A win is very important for the return of confidence. Although things are changing—captaincy has changed—I think this happens in every country. You cannot control it. Only a win can save us from all these issues,” he remarked.
Pakistan’s Recent Performance Snapshot
Pakistan’s cricket team has experienced mixed fortunes in recent months:
- Eliminated from the T20 World Cup, followed by a historic 2-0 Test series loss to Bangladesh at home.
- Bounced back with a 2-1 home Test series win over England.
- Secured a 2-1 ODI series victory against Australia but lost the T20I series that followed.
- Currently competing in an ODI series in South Africa, having won the opener but lost the preceding T20I series 2-0.
Imam’s candid statements underscore the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, with fans and analysts eagerly watching to see how the team addresses these pressing issues ahead of future competitions.
