Tag: Imam ul Haq

  • Here’s how the PSL players are keeping themselves entertained in their bubble

    Here’s how the PSL players are keeping themselves entertained in their bubble

    Cricket players who are in currently in Karachi for Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) remaining matches were seen spending their free time playing indoor games.

    With COVID-19 still a threat, players are required to stay in their bio-secure bubble in order to stay safe from the virus. This means that they are not allowed to leave the premises of hotel and stadium. All matches will also be behind closed doors.

    After practice sessions, the players were seen enjoying their free time playing snooker, indoor cricket, jenga and board games.

    Babar enjoying snooker
    Chadwick playing Table Tennis

    The official handle of Karachi Kings also shared a video in which Babar bowled to Wahab Riaz in the corridor while Imam ul Haq cheered for them.

    Meanwhile, the playoffs and final of the fifth edition of PSL will be played from November 14 to 17 in Karachi.

  • ‘I remember crying in the shower for hours’: Imam ul Haq opens up on nepotism accusations

    ‘I remember crying in the shower for hours’: Imam ul Haq opens up on nepotism accusations

    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.