Imam Reflects on Missed Century, Praises Partnership with Shan
LAHORE: Imam-ul-Haq, the Pakistani opener, marked his return to the Test arena with a stylish 93 off 153 deliveries against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, narrowly missing his fourth Test century.
The left-handed batsman, aged 29, forged a significant 161-run partnership with captain Shan Masood after Abdullah Shafique’s early dismissal on the third ball of the match.
Imam’s innings featured seven boundaries and a six before he was eventually dismissed by Senuran Muthusamy just before the tea interval.
Following the day’s play, Imam expressed his disappointment at not reaching a century but highlighted the value of his partnership with Shan.
“I am disappointed to have missed the century mark, but it is an inherent part of the game,” Imam commented.
“Cricket doesn’t always go as planned. Initially, I took my time to settle, but as the spinners were introduced, Shan took on a more aggressive approach while I played a more steadying role. It wasn’t pre-planned, but our partnership proved crucial in establishing a competitive total,” he elaborated.
He also acknowledged South Africa’s resilience, noting their comeback that saw Pakistan’s score shift from 199-2 to 199-5.
However, an unbroken partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan helped Pakistan regain control and finish the day in a strong position.
Reflecting on his comeback, Imam underscored his focus on performing well in domestic cricket and his confidence in contributing to the team.
“Our overall position is favorable. South Africa mounted a strong fightback. Rizwan and Agha displayed a superb partnership. My aim is always to contribute to the team’s success. Being in and out of the team is a reality I accept,” he stated.
The left-handed batter also highlighted the importance of converting starts into substantial scores.
“I recognized the need to make significant scores consistently across all formats. I have been working on how to construct match-winning innings for Pakistan. Sometimes the small details are overlooked. A score of 150 is perceived differently than 93, and the impact is amplified. We are actively focusing on improving this aspect,” he concluded.
Pakistan concluded the first day of the Test match against South Africa at 313-5 in 90 overs, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha at the crease.
Rizwan demonstrated resilience, achieving his 12th Test half-century, while Salman Ali Agha also reached his fifty, his 10th in red-ball cricket.
The pair constructed a partnership exceeding 100 runs, concluding the day favorably for Pakistan, with Rizwan unbeaten on 62 and Agha on 52.
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