Pakistani opener Imam-Ul-Haq looking forward to battle against Mitchell Starc in Adelaide Test

Pakistan’s tour to Australia has not been good so far. They lost the three-match T20I series under new captain Babar Azam 0-3 and have now lost the first Test match at Brisbane by an innings and 5 runs, despite the heroics from Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Asad Shafiq with the bat and Naseem Shah’s exciting Test debut.

The Asian cricketing giants have not won a Test in Australia for a long time and the trend continued, as their batting just couldn’t give a fight to Australian fast bowlers on a bouncy Gabba pitch and crumbled for 240 and 335 in both innings in response to Australia’s mammoth 580. Pakistani openers did well in the second innings, with Azam making 104 and Rizwan slamming 95, while Shafiq had saved face for the team with 76 in the first innings.

There have been talks of some changes in the visitors’ team for the second Test which will be a day-night affair in Adelaide. Apart from bowler Imran Khan, batsman Haris Sohail, who made single-digit scores in both innings is in danger of losing his place for the upcoming pink ball encounter. While Musa Khan is poised to make his Test debut, there is a chance that Iman-Ul-Haq might be drafted in for Sohail at no.3 and the bespectacled opener is ready for the challenge.

Imam-ul-Haq excited to face Mitchell Starc in Adelaide Oval if he gets picked

The Pakistani opener is excited to face the Australia speedster Mitchell Starc in the Adelaide Oval given he is picked for the Test match. Imam had said big things about facing the fast bowler during the ICC World Cup 2019, where he had said that Starc was not a threat after he had faced Archer and Wood in the tournament.

“I have faced Mitchell in the ODIs and T20s as well. Yeah, I guess it’s gonna be difficult for all the batsmen and the pink ball will challenge you but after 10 to 15 balls it will be okay and easier and you will be comfortable – I really think so,” Imam was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net.

Imam also gave his views on conditions in Adelaide where the game would be played under lights with a pink ball. He mentioned that the Adelaide wicket was quite different from Gabba and there might be some help for spinners.

“The Adelaide wicket is slightly different than Brisbane and its good for batsmen as well and it has a little bit of help for the spinners. Our batsmen are very confident, we did good in the practice matches as well and you always work hard in the nets to prepare for the worst and that’s what our batting unit was doing and InshaAllah it will be a different result,” he added.

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