PAK vs ENG: Imam wants spinning track in Multan

Second Test between Pakistan and England will begin on December 9

December 08, 2022
Imam plays a shot during the first Test against England in Rawalpindi — AFP

MULTAN: Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq is hopeful that the pitch in Multan, for the second Test against England, will assist the spinners.

Speaking to Geo News in an exclusive interview, Imam said that Pakistan should take advantage of their home conditions.

“I’m hoping that the pitch will offer turn in Multan. It should assist the spinners from the first day,” Imam said.

“If the wicket supports spinners, we will get a result in the second Test match and hopefully it will be in our favour.

“When we go to England or Australia, we have to adapt to their conditions. In the same manner, Pakistan should also take advantage of its home conditions since a spinning track suits us.”

The left-handed batter also lauded England’s approach in the longest format of the game.

“I liked the way England started the first Test in T20 mode. England has added a new dimension in Test cricket,” he said.

He also claimed that Pakistan players also have the ability to play aggressive cricket if needed.

“Pakistan team also has players who can play aggressive cricket if the situation demands. We chased a target around 340 in Sri Lanka during a Test match,” he said.

The Multan-born is also keen on “scoring a century” on his home ground but also admitted that “winning the Test match” was more important than his personal milestone.

It must be noted that England took full advantage of winning the toss — and their batting depth — to win the first Test by 74 runs Monday on a dead wicket that offered nothing to the bowlers.

Rawalpindi yielded 1,768 runs in four innings — the third most in Test history — with seven individual centuries and five fifties.

England lead the three-match Test series 1-0.

Pakistan’s likely lineup for second Test:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr/Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Zahid Mahmood and Naseem Shah.

Atique ur Rehman is a senior reporter for Geo News.

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