Australia tour to Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq says pitch wasn’t produced on his orders

Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq says neither he nor anyone in the team dictated what the Rawalpindi surface should be like for their first Test against Australia.

With Australia playing a Test series in Pakistan for the first time in 24 years anticipation was high and fans were left disappointed by the flat pitch.

Imam made hundreds in both innings but said he and the team were disappointed with the result.

“Nobody wants a draw. The curators did not prepare the pitch on my orders nor is he my relative. Cricket Australia also does not curate pitches on our advice when we tour Australia either. Every team curates pitches based on their strengths. It does not matter the type of pitch, my job is to perform,” said Haq in a virtual press conference as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Imam made a gesture after scoring a hundred, which many believe was him hitting back at his critics, but he says it was for his teammates.

“I am always criticized no matter if I am on the team or not. I am not sad about the criticism because my job is to perform. It is up to the management to decide whether my runs in the Rawalpindi Test match are quality or not. The sign after scoring the century was for the captain and my teammates. However, I will not reveal the reason behind it,” he added.

Imam has been itching to get his chance in the Test arena and is thrilled to have notched a pair of tons against Australia.

“When you play against opposition like Australia and you score runs, it is always an amazing feeling. My recent domestic stint helped me a lot. I have been a part of Pakistan’s side for the last year or so but I have been the 12th man and even that helped. I learned a lot sitting outside as I wanted to replicate my ODI performances in the Tests