South Africa vs Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq explains his finger-on-lip celebration

While playing the third ODI against South Africa, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq surpassed quite a few achievements. He became the second fastest batsman to score 1,000 ODI runs as he got there in 19 innings. His opening partner Fakhar Zaman (18 innings) is the fastest to the milestone. In the process, Imam also registered his fifth ODI century and silenced all his critics.

There was a unique celebration on display from him once he reached the triple-figures. The left-hander was spotted putting his index finger on his lip and indicating something to the fans and critics. In the innings break of the match, the 23-year-old mentioned what he wanted to convey through that action of his.

Really what to thank the people who criticise me

Imam-ul-Haq is often under the radar because he is the nephew of the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. The media and the pundits bluntly get after his after every single failure. They often cite that he is in the team only because of the backing from his uncle. So, Imam used this potentially match-winning performance to thank all of those people.

He noted that he wanted to thank the Pakistani people who often criticise him. Moreover, he credited all this success to them when he was asked to explain his unique celebration during the innings break.

“I’m the nephew of the chief selector. Really want to thank all the Pakistan media and Pakistan people who criticize me always. Really want to thank them. The success I have is because of them,” said Imam-ul-Haq after the end of the innings.

Courtesy his century and handy knocks from Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez and Imad Wasim, Pakistan set a massive target of 318 runs for the Proteas to chase. The Centurion wicket usually plays beautifully under the lights and it will be quite a challenge for the bowlers to defend the total. The series is evenly poised at 1-1 at the moment.

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