‘This team can do wonders’ – Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq opens up about his team’s chances in upcoming ODI World Cup 2023
Amid all the speculations as well as confusion surrounding the ODI World Cup 2023, the fans are hopeful that they will witness a high-voltage India-Pakistan clash. The apex cricket council recently announced the fixtures for the marquee tournament earlier this month and it will be the first time that Pakistan will be travelling to India for a cricket match. It was only back in 2016 when the Shahid Afridi-led side came to India for playing in the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup.
Now, the star Pakistan opener Imam-ul- Haq opened up about his conversation with the skipper Babar Azam where the duo were having a discussion about playing in India. Iman said that playing in India and that too against India is something really special. The Southpaw also went on to praise the performance of Pakistan’s cricket team in recent years and it would be really great if they go on to win the World Cup in India.
“I really believe our one-day team is the most compatible and balanced team. The combination is similar to 2019. Whenever you give opportunities to players, performances will come. We have chased 350 here (in Pakistan), we’ve scored 330 in South Africa, and we won the series there. So yes, everybody is excited. A bit nervous as well, I won’t lie. This team can do wonders, and it would be good for our nation if we win the World Cup in India,” Imam told during a chat with Pakistan’s YouTube channel Grassroots Cricket.
The Pakistan batter also went on to review his own performance and how has he improved from the last India-Pakistan clash in World Cup 2019. Imam reviewed that in the span of the last four years, his performance has only gone and he has worked on his techniques which has definitely made him a better batter than which he was in 2019.
“Yes, I really believe. If I ask myself, if I see in the mirror, Imam-ul-Haq is very different from 2019 to 2023. I’m much older, much more mature. And as a senior, now I have got the responsibility. I’ve developed my shots as well. From last 4 years, my performances have gone up to a good level, so I want to continue that,” said the left-handed opener.
Pakistan will be facing their arch-rivals India in the 2023 ODI World Cup at Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15.
