‘I’ve worked on how to win matches for Pakistan,’ says Imam

Muhammad Naeem

Lahore: Left-handed batsman Imam-ul-Haq said he had spent his time away from the national side focusing on how to contribute to Pakistan’s victories.

Speaking at the post-match media interaction at the close of play on the first day of the opening Test against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, Imam said professional cricketers must stay committed to the game whether they are part of the national setup or not.

“Playing domestic or county cricket, my only motive was to deliver performances strong enough to catch the selectors’ eye,” he added.

Reflecting on his innings of 93 runs, Imam expressed satisfaction over his return but disappointment at missing out on a century.

“Had I scored 150 instead of 93, such a performance could have taken the match away from the opposition,” he remarked.

Responding to a question about whether the batting approach was pre-planned—with him taking on the fast bowlers and Shan Masood targeting the spinners—Imam dismissed the notion.

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“There is nothing scripted in cricket. A batter plays according to the situation. In the beginning, I got opportunities to score against the pacers, while Shan found chances against the spinners. That’s how the game unfolded,” he explained.

Commenting on the pitch conditions, Imam said it had offered more turn than expected on the opening day, adding that the South Africans anticipated a spinning track, which was why they included three spinners in their lineup.

“We can expect even more spin on the third and fourth days as the surface develops rough patches. It will get more challenging for batters,” he said.

He emphasized that professionalism in cricket is about adaptability.

“As professional cricketers, we must adjust to every condition—whether it’s facing swing on green tracks in South Africa or spin in Galle, Sri Lanka,” he said. “Our responsibility is to perform according to the situation.”

Looking ahead, Imam said the first hour on the second day would be crucial for Pakistan.

“If Mohammad Rizwan or Salman Agha can score a big hundred, we can reach 400 runs, which would be an ideal position for us. The Proteas are a professional side, and we expect them to come back strong,” he concluded.