Category: Sports

Imam-ul-Haq has opened up about the mental pressures that came with being accused of nepotism when he entered the national team. Imam, who is the nephew of legendary former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in October 2017. His situation was worsened with the fact that Inzamam was also the chief selector for Pakistan at the time.

Speaking to former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta on his ESPNCrincinfo chat show Cricketbaazi, Haq said: “When all of this started happening, I would have my meals all alone. It was my first tour and you know how it can get on the first tour. And whenever I would open my phone, there were people tagging me on social media posts or sending me stuff. I was very disheartened and couldn’t understand anything.”

“I stopped talking to my family because I didn’t want to put them under any pressure that I’m facing problems,” he continued. “I switched off and handed both my mobile phones to my manager, and said, ‘I can’t take this, please take them off me.’”

“I remember crying in the shower for hours that I haven’t even played yet. It’s very easy for young players to get surrounded by self-doubt. The only thing running constantly in my mind was that I haven’t even played [for the national team] yet, what if I play and don’t perform well? Then my career will be over. I wouldn’t step a foot out of my room, fearing people might trouble me outside, because there is a large Pakistan community in Dubai.”

Read more – Ex-Indian cricketer recalls when ‘shy’ Imran Khan didn’t leave his hotel room to play Holi

Imam played the third match of the series. “We were living in Dubai, and from there we had to travel to Abu Dhabi on the match-day, which is a two-hour drive. So we had to leave around 11 am-12 pm for the match and I got his (Arthur’s) message at around 9.30 am, which I still remember, ‘Immy, it’s your time, be ready and good luck,’” said Imam.

“After that, I don’t remember anything. My mind was completely blank. I was hoping he hadn’t messaged me. He shouldn’t have. Because my confidence had hit the rock-bottom and I was feeling so low that I felt I won’t be able to perform in the match.

“I was focusing less on the match and more on what would happen after. What if I couldn’t perform? My career will get badly affected and everyone will say they were right to criticise me. Because the media was only discussing my inclusion in the side.”

Imam went on to score a century in that match, thus becoming the second Pakistani batsman to score a ton on debut.

Meanwhile, the cricketer, who was hit on his left-hand during the practise match, has been declared fit to bat by the team doctor. He is part of Pakistan’s squad for the England series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday said that fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, who had initially pulled out of England tour, will join the Pakistan squad following the birth of his second daughter last week.

According to the board, the white-ball specialist and masseur Mohammad Imran underwent COVID-19 tests on Monday and they must register two negative results before they can join the squad in England.

“If their first tests return negative, they will be moved to a bio-secure environment in Lahore where their second tests will be conducted on Wednesday, with the expected departures over the weekend,” the PCB said.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik’s departure has been delayed until the second week of August after India extended the ban on international flights until July 31, which, in turn, has delayed a planned family reunion. The board had allowed Malik to meet with his family, including wife Sania Mirza and son Izhaan Mirza, before joining the team. The board added that when Malik joins the squad for the T20I series, which starts on August 28 in Manchester, the team management will release a player.

On the other hand, all-rounder Khushdil Shah, who fractured his thumb, will miss the first test against England. Khushdil has been ruled out for up to three weeks after injuring his left thumb while batting during Saturday’s training session in Derby.

Abid Ali also survived a scare after being struck on the helmet while fielding at forward short-leg during an intra-squad match on Sunday.

“Abid is absolutely fine and will be available to resume training on Wednesday following Tuesday’s rest day,” team doctor Sohail Saleem said. “He underwent a precautionary CT scan which has also returned normal.”

The three-test series begins in Manchester on August 5, with the last two matches scheduled in Southampton.

Beginning on August 28, Pakistan will also play three Twenty20 Internationals against England with Manchester hosting all the matches.

Mohammad Amir and his wife Narjis Amir have been blessed with a baby girl. This is the couple’s second child together – they have another daughter named Minsa.

The fast bowler took to social media to make the announcement and share that their newborn has been named Zoya Amir. Amir is the fifth cricketer to have welcomed a newborn after Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Yasir Shah this year.

Amir had earlier shared that his wife was expecting which is why he backed out of the England tour. In a Twitter update, Amir had said that due to the timing of the tour and the restrictions in place in the United Kingdom for those coming from abroad, left him with no choice but to back out of the tour.

He had said that he cannot leave his wife, “who is at a high-risk pregnancy alone here [in Pakistan]”.

Following the announcement, many of Amir’s colleagues sent in their best wishes for the new born.

Mohammad Amir, who withdrew from Pakistan’s upcoming England tour, has revealed that he backed out from the tour because his wife is expecting.

The bowler, in a Twitter update, shared that due to the timing of the tour and the restrictions in place in the United Kingdom for those coming from abroad, left him with no choice but to back out of the tour. He said that he cannot leave his wife, “who is at a high-risk pregnancy alone here [in Pakistan]”. Amir and his wife Narjis are expecting their second child together.

Read more – Mohammad Amir spots ‘Virat Kohli’ in Ertuğrul

Journalists Zainab Abbas and Saj Sadiq supported Amir’s decision and said that his decision to withdraw makes sense.

Other than Amir, Haris Sohail has also opted out of series citing family reasons.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier announced that the team will travel to the UK to play a bilateral series in August and September.

Pakistan will bring a 28-man squad plus 14 player support personnel for three tests and three Twenty20 Internationals.

The PCB has yet to announce the squad, while the series schedule will be announced in due course.

Plans to hold a bio-secure national training camp in Lahore ahead of the England trip have been scrapped after taking into account the rapid growth of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan.

England is scheduled to host the first international series since the novel coronavirus pandemic, when they face West Indies in a three-test series without fans in attendance starting on July 8 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.