Pakistan’s sidelined opening batter, Imam-ul-Haq, has voiced strong criticism of the national team’s selection process, accusing selectors of inconsistent and biased criteria.
In a candid interview with a local sports platform, the 28-year-old left-handed batter expressed concern over what he described as the worst state of Pakistan cricket he has witnessed in his seven-year career. Imam ul Haq shed light on the team’s struggles in recent tournaments, highlighting selection flaws, inconsistent performances, and shocking defeats.
Imam specifically referenced Pakistan’s surprising loss to the USA in this year’s T20 World Cup.
“I wasn’t in the T20 World Cup, but I’ve heard stories that seem worse than the ODI World Cup. Only those on the field can truly explain what happened,” Imam said, adding that his conversations with captain Babar Azam only provided partial insights.
Imam also mentioned the team’s dramatic collapse against India, despite being in a winning position after needing only a run-a-ball. “Losing that match to the USA and then to India… You reach a winning situation and collapse—it’s heartbreaking,” he lamented.
Imam emphasized the critical role of victories in rebuilding team confidence. “A win is vital for restoring confidence. Things are changing—captaincy has changed—and this happens in every country. Only winning can resolve these issues,” he said.
Imam was particularly vocal about favoritism within the team’s selection process, accusing selectors of fostering a culture of “liking and disliking.”
He criticized the inconsistent opportunities given to players, stating,
We gave our players consistent chances but didn’t see results in the ODI World Cup. If you give one player 15 matches and another of similar caliber only three, you’re creating problems for yourself. The selection criteria seem to depend on personal preferences.
Imam acknowledged the players’ role in the team’s struggles, pointing to issues with form, fitness, and consistency.
“The confidence of every player is shaken from top to bottom. I haven’t seen Pakistan play this badly in my career. Whether it’s the ODI World Cup or Test cricket, the boys are not delivering,” he admitted.
Imam-ul-Haq, who topped the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy batting charts was expected to return to the national team for the South Africa tour but missed out, leading to his frustrations with the selection panel. He last played for Pakistan in 2023 and with the emergence of Saim Ayub may find his opportunities in the future limited as well.
However, Imam’s remarks highlight the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, both on and off the field, and the urgent need for consistent strategies to rebuild confidence and achieve lasting success.
