Pakistan opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq has admitted that accusations of nepotism directed towards him ever since he made his international debut have hurt him.
The 22-year-old is the nephew of former Pakistan skipper and now head of the selection committee Inzamam-ul-Haq and has made a fast start to life in international cricket since his debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka last year.
The southpaw registered a fine century on debut and has since gone on to notch up three more in 15 matches. From 16 ODIs, Imam has managed to score 819 runs at an average of 63 with three half-centuries to go with his four tons.
“To be honest, it is very hurtful. As a youngster you come into international cricket with a lot of expectations from your family, and I had a great first-class season but this kind of criticism is very hurtful,” Imam told ESPNcricinfo.
“I won’t lie but this kind of criticism really pissed me off,” he added.
While he has formed an excellent opening combination with Fakhar Zaman in ODIs, the youngster is yet to stamp his authority at the Test level.
Imam has been excellent for Pakistan in the ODI format.
In 11 Test innings for Pakistan so far, Imam has managed to score only 303 runs at an average of just under 34. The opener was dismissed for nine runs in the first innings of Pakistan’s ongoing second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Despite the hiccups, the youngster is confident of silencing his critics.
“I am very mentally strong, and that helped me a lot but after that hundred (on debut), I made up my mind that I will fight for it. So it’s okay if they criticise me I will criticise them back with my performances, and so far it’s going good,” said Imam.