USA vs PAK: Watch: 'Dosti yaari se...' - Imam-ul-Haq reacts as fan accuses Babar Azam of bias for Shadab Khan

Pakistan cricketer Imam-ul-Haq came up with a sensational reply after he was asked by a fan about Babar Azam backing Shadab Khan in the team more than him. He said that teams aren’t made by friendships and the all-rounder is playing for a long time. 

Imam-ul-Haq has been one of the decent contributors to the Pakistan cricket team in the last few years. However, of late he has struggled to get going and has come under a lot of scanner for his poor performances, especially in the ODIs and Tests. 

Imam-ul-Haq bagged a series of low scores under his belt and then was dropped from the XI during the ICC World Cup 2023. He played the first few games of the tournament but couldn’t set the stage on fire and then was replaced by Fakhar Zaman in the team.

With Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique then making an impact with the bat for the team, it was hard for Imam-ul-Haq to make a comeback and his chances to get a place in the side now look bleak as well. The torrid run then continued even in the Tests. 

Imam-ul-Haq then failed to make an impact with the bat in the Test series against Australia. He played the first few games and then struggled to play the short ball before he was replaced by Saim Ayub in the XI for the last games of the series. With him struggling to get going in both the formats he played, it might be tough for him to make a comeback.

During a TV Show, a fan asked Imam-ul-Haq about why skipper Babar Azam, who is good friends with him and Shadab Khan, favours all-rounder more than him despite the latter not having a great time with bat and ball.

Replying to this, Imam-ul-Haq stated that he respects fan’s question but backed Shadab Khan, saying that the all-rounder has been playing for a very long time and his contribution to the team is commendable. He stated: 

"Meri jaan, dosti yaari se team nahi banti (a team is not formed through friendships)," Imam-ul-Haq bluntly said. "Your perspective can be like that and I respect everyone. 

“Shady (Shadab Khan) has been playing for a long time and he is not a newcomer. We can talk about his performance. But his debut was in 2016. If a boy has been playing for 8 years, it's commendable.”

I am playing in ODIs, And Shadab is playing as an all-rounder - Imam-Ul-Haq 

Imam-Ul-Haq further stated that he has been playing in ODIs and not T20Is while Shadab Khan, who is an all-rounder, plays in the T20Is as well. Weighing on his point, he stated: 

“You guys don't let anyone play for 3 matches. So, it is very difficult to play for 8 years. As far as I am concerned, I have not been playing T20s for a long time. I am playing in ODIs. And Shadab is playing as an all-rounder,” he concluded.