Imam-ul-Haq gets candid about what he’s learning from Babar Azam

Pakistan’s opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq reveled about his friendship with fellow batsman Babar Azam and all things that the youngster learning from the his experienced partner.

“For all the great players out there, the game has been all about maintaining balance. They make good and quick positions and you can play really well at international level if you are able to set good positions,” said Imam.

“I talked to Babar, being my best friend and we have played our entire cricket together, so it came as a shock seeing his balance, which he has developed through consistent performance. I always asked him about it during the drills, which is part of my learning phase in the game,” he added, while speaking to Ramiz Raja.

The batting duo led Pakistan to victory against debutant Ireland, ensuring that the Pakistan’s follow-on decision did not backfire, in the one-off Test series. Imam went on score an unbeaten knock of 74 runs, alongside Babar who scored 59 runs.

The youngster said that he also takes tips from fellow senior batsmen including Azhar Ali, who is considered one of the best Test batsmen in Pakistan's cricket today. Imam was of the view that one needs to be ‘mentally strong’ in order to make a name in the game. “I believe if you are mentally strong, your average technique too could take you at higher levels,” he said.

Imam is expected to play for Pakistan in the highly anticipated two-Test series against England, the first Test match is scheduled to take place at the historic Lord’s on May 24.