Imam thanks ‘Pakistan media and people who criticize’ him

Pakistan opening batsman Imam ul Haq was finally able to answer his critics after reaching his fifth One Day International (ODI), as Pakistan piled 317 runs against South Africa in the third ODI on Friday.

Imam hit his career fifth ODI ton featuring 8 boundaries, before departing to 101 off 116 deliveries after he was caught by van der Dussen off Shamsi’s delivery in the 43^rd over.

However, Imam’s celebration also became the talking point among the cricket fans, after he was seen shutting down his haters, giving a message to his critics.

“That message - my selection and all that stuff. As everyone knows I'm the nephew of the chief selector. Really want to thank all the Pakistan media and Pakistan people who criticize me always. Really want to thank them. Success I have is because of them,” said Imam during the innings break.

"I really want to thank those journalist who always criticized me by questioning my selection as I'm nephew of cheif selector. The celebration was a msg for them who used to talk at my back",

Imam ul Haq 🔥#PAKvSA #SAvPAK @azkhawaja1 pic.twitter.com/uqQ3sAF0wO

— H Studio (@Hstudio18) January 25, 2019

Earlier, Imam also became the second fastest batsman to reach 1000 One Day International (ODI) runs.

The youngster managed to attain the feat in just 19 innings, only one more than fellow opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, who holds the record of fastest to 1000 runs mark in 18 ODI appearances.

However, with the feat Imam was able to best the likes of Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, Proteas’s Hashim Amla and Pakistan’s Babar Azam.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa in the third one-day international series (ODI) at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The five-match ODI series is levelled at 1-1 with both the teams hoping to take a lead.