Sports

Imad Wasim opens up about being next heartthrob of Pakistan cricket

All-rounder also reveals what he thinks about new limited-overs captain Sarfraz Ahmed

Sports Desk February 28, 2017

Imad Wasim also reveals what he thinks about new limited-overs captain Sarfraz Ahmed. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim appeared on ESPNCricinfo’s Polite Enquiries and responded to a question of being called the next heartthrob representing the country.

The Wales-born has gained tremendous popularity in the past year playing for Pakistan and has represented the national side in 18 ODIs and 15 T20Is. But he maintained that the heartthrob tag isn’t something that should be taken seriously.

Speaking in the short programme, Imad said, “The thing is there are a lot of players like me.”

We won't just roll over, Imad warns Australia

Separately, the all-rounder said he has been working hard in the nets to improve since his recent dip in batting form. He added that he intends to work his way through Pakistan’s Test squad as well.

“I won’t call myself a batting all-rounder due to the dip in my form with the bat; however, I am working on it,” said Imad. “I don’t know what the selectors and the coaches have in their minds about me, but I am working very hard on my skills for an opportunity [in Test cricket].”

New ODI captain Sarfraz likely to lead in all three formats

On the controversial question of being made Pakistan’s captain in the future, Imad said he has no such plans at the moment and has tremendous respect for current limited-overs skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. “Sarfraz is a great friend of mine and we have played together for 12 years now,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for him and I wish him all the best.”

COMMENTS (2)

israr | 7 years ago | Reply Imad wasim is great talent all he needs is power hitting and work on building inngs with his ability to bowl arm balls and turn an occasional one, I say let him bat at no 5 or 6 and see what he can offer in longer format may be 4. New Pakistani team is going to revolve around alrounders with Hassaan Khan, Shadab Khan, Anwar Ali, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz at the centre of it. Fakhar zaman and haris sohail can open batting (i hope sarfaraz does not reply on asad shafiq too much) then we can have babar at 3 and hussain talat at 4 with sarfaraz at 5 and then three alrounders in imad, hassaan, nawaz, anwar ali and shadab khan (only 3) This gives us liberty to play two seamers in Aamir and Hasan ali if we need one more seamer we can play wahab (remember anwar might be playing) or if you need an extra batsman you can always play newbie saud shakeel or may be usman salahuddin. These names i have picked from Pakistan A tour of England June July 2016 and credit to inzimanul Haq to have thrown the youngsters into the mix, the game we won against SL involved sharjeel, fakhar zaman, babar azam and saud shakeel with the same tour we got shadab khan as well and now we have the proof of most of them via PSL so i say Usman and saud shld also be given chance with proper guidance.

Bossman | 7 years ago | Reply Work hard, play hard, TALK less!

Replying to X