Taunton: Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has described the World Cup match Sunday against India as a ‘huge-pressure game’, which has also become a must-win one for his side following the loss to Australia here.
Asked if the defeat made the high-pressure match against India at Old Trafford a must-win affair, Imam agreed to it. “Yes, we’ve had one game rained off which was very important for us – every game now is very important for us, so yes you can say that,” Imam said.
“Obviously, to be part of that kind of game, it’s great. It’s in Manchester, lots of Pakistani fans there – so I’m really excited about it. It’s a huge pressure game, obviously. Pakistan and India, there’s a lot of mysteries behind that but we want to just focus on our cricket strengths and how we can get better,” added the opener.
Imam also felt ‘hugely disappointed’ after getting out tamely just when he thought he was in a position to inspire his side to a famous win over defending champions Australia. He had reached the half century milestone and was looking for many more when he was dismissed for 53.
It was a dismissal that transformed the match with three more wickets tumbling quickly and it left Imam so crestfallen that he hung his head and could barely drag himself back to the pavilion.
“Obviously, I’m playing well – and this team depend on me and Babar (Azam). When Babar got out (for 30), it was then my responsibility and I was going well but it was not a good ball that got me out, the same as I did against the West Indies,” Imam said.
“I knew I had spent a hell of a lot of time on a tricky wicket so I knew it wouldn’t be easy for any new batsman to come in. So it was a huge disappointment because it’s a World Cup stage and if you get set, you really have to make it count if you want to stay in the tournament,” he added.
PTI