Asia Cup 2018: Imam Ul-Haq promises Pakistan will give 'tough fight' against India

Denzil Pinto 12:59 22/09/2018
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  • Imam-ul-Haq (C) had a poor game against India on Wednesday

    Imam Ul-Haq has vowed Pakistan will do all they can to give India a “tough fight” after counting himself among the batsmen to let the team down during their eight-wicket loss on Wednesday.

    The two nations renew their infamous rivalry for the second time in a week on Sunday, just five days after India claimed the bragging rights in their group stage clash in Dubai.

    It was a routine victory for the Men in Blue as they chased their 162-run target with ease. Pakistan lost openers Imam and Fakhar Zaman inside the first four overs, and from thereon in, India were in the driving seat.

    That saw Mickey Arthur strongly criticise his batsmen and while Imam bounced back with a solid 80 that set up Friday’s narrow three-wicket victory against Afghanistan, Zaman’s poor form continued with another duck.

    However, Imam insists the Afghanistan win will give them a lot of momentum going into the crucial clash at Dubai International Stadium and stressed it is vital Zaman – the star of the show during last year’s Champions Trophy final –and himself give Pakistan a strong start.

    “You can say we let ourselves down against India, especially in the batting department,” said the 22-year-old in his post-match press conference on Friday. “If your openers are dismissed inside the first 10 overs, it is always difficult to bounce back in a big game. In the past six months or so, me and Fakhar and Babar have been in great form. It is our responsibility that we set the platform for lower-order hitters in our team in big games.

    Rohit Sharma is the man in form for India

    Rohit Sharma is the man in form for India.

    “We let them down but the team has backed each other and after winning such a thrilling and close match like this, you definitely generate some momentum. God willing, this time we will give it a tough fight to India.”

    Just like Pakistan, India come into the game on the back of a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph. Captain Rohit Sharma stuck his 36th ODI fifty with his unbeaten 83 helping the reigning champions to their 174-run target after Ravindra Jadeja caused havoc with the ball, taking four scalps against Bangladesh.

    But with the likes of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan in their ranks, Imam knows Pakistan have the quality to trouble the batsmen but insists it’s vital they remove Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan early to stand any chance of gaining revenge.

    “For any team to win, taking 10 wickets is always important,” he added. “Our strength has always been our bowling. India’s batting is strong and our aim is to get their 10 wickets. If their top-order batsmen get set, they always score big. We want to take 10 wickets and we want to strike with the new ball. Their openers are their strength and taking their wicket early is important. Their middle-order is shaky so getting their openers early inside 10 overs will be vital.”

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