World Cup 2019: Criticise our cricket but don’t bring in our personal lives, urges Imam-ul-Haq to fans

Members of the Pakistan national cricket team have been meeting the press at different cities of the country after the squad returned from the World Cup. After captain Sarfaraz Ahmed spoke in his home town Karachi on Sunday, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan address the media in Islamabad on Monday. On Tuesday, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, two young and frontline batsmen, spoke to media persons in Lahore.

Imam, Azam take responsibility for the slump against Australia

Both the batsmen took responsibilities individually for Pakistan’s loss to Australia in a crucial group game in Taunton. While Imam said he had let his team down by getting out despite being set on the wicket, Azam said he had played a bad shot that made a difference. Imam and Babar are the only Pakistan batsmen to have scored centuries in this World Cup.

While Azam hit a match-winning ton against New Zealand in Birmingham, Imam wrapped up his campaign with a century against Bangladesh at Lord’s. The 23-year-old Imam, who is the second fastest batsman to have scored 1,000 runs in ODIs after his opening partner Fakhar Zaman, has often been accused of getting national chances since he is the nephew of former Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Imam, however, has made a mark with seven centuries in 36 ODIs that he has played so far. The former Pakistan quick Shoaib Akhtar had slammed Imam after Pakistan’s loss to India despite The southpaw averages over 54 in one-dayers. According to Akhtar, Imam only plays the glance shot and that never helps him build his innings.

Imam-Ul-Haq “criticise us for cricket-related things, but I request that people stop the personal comments” #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/1o0E82btNt

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 9, 2019

Facing strong criticism they faced following their defeat to India by 89 runs via DLS Method, Imam said it was okay if the critics slammed them for their cricket but he urged them to spare their personal lives. Senior cricketer like Shoaib Malik, who concluded his ODI career on the completion of Pakistan’s run in the World Cup, was one whose personal life was dragged into controversy following his poor run with the bat in the tournament.