‘Pakistan is not losing because…’ – Imam-Ul-Haq makes bold claim ahead of third Test with England

Pakistan left-arm batter Imam-Ul-Haq opined that the Pakistan cricket team lost their first two Test matches against England due to their own mistakes and not because the opposition played outstanding cricket.

After losing the second Test in Multan, the hosts are 2-0 behind against the Three Lions in the three-match Test series. Pakistan failed to hold their nerve in the batting department, in both Test matches. 

The third and final Test of the series is scheduled to be played on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the National Stadium, Karachi. Imam stated that Pakistan missed up on the opportunity despite holding strong positions in Rawalpindi and Multan.

“Test matches in Rawalpindi and Multan were in our hands. Unfortunately, we were unable to execute our plans, which is disappointing. Pakistan is not losing because England is playing outstanding test cricket. We are losing because of our own mistakes,” Imam was quoted as saying in the pre-match press conference.

We lost due to our mistakes: Imam-Ul-Haq

Previously, Ramiz Raja, the PCB’s chairman, recommended to Babar Azam that the Test team include players who play T20 cricket. In reply, Imam said the decision on this should be made by the team management and selectors

“There is no opener currently capable of meeting the performances of the opening duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in T20. We will keep on playing as we do. We lost due to our mistakes, and we admit it. We will try and come up strongly,” Imam added.

With 229 runs from four innings at an average of 57.25 and one century and one half-century, Imam is now fourth on the list for the top run scorers in this series.

England has traveled to Pakistan after a long gap of 17 years. England Test skipper Ben Stokes will not be taking any match fees from this series as he is donating that to the people who were affected by the floods in Pakistan. Following their loss in the first two matches of the Test series, Pakistan are out of the race for the World Test Championship final.