KARACHI: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq has opened up for the first time after facing criticism for performing on a slow pitch of the Pindi Cricket Stadium against Australia.

Imam, while talking to a virtual presser ahead of the Karachi Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy has hit back at his critics for performing on the slow pitch of the Rawalpindi Test.

“Pitch curator is not my relative and I did not ask him to prepare a slow pitch,” he said.

“I believe in the hard work I have put in. Facing criticism is now commonplace for me,” he added.

The left-handed opener also stated that Australia too, would not prepare wickets as per our instructions.

“If we go to Australia, they too, will not prepare wickets by asking us,” he said.

Imam then, also showed his gratitude for his brilliant performance against Australia in the home conditions as the left-handed batter scored centuries in both innings of the Rawalpindi Test.

“I can not put my feelings into words about my performance against Australia in our home conditions,” he said.

Imam further revealed that the 26-years-old also revealed that he kept trying to correct his mistakes when he was out of the Playing XI for two years.

“I was also performing in the domestic circuit. However, I kept trying to rectify my mistakes when I was not part of the Playing XI,” he said.

Imam also termed Karachi Test an important one and also emphasized that Australia can not be written off as they know how to make a comeback.

He further claimed that the green shirts would get Australia out twice if the bad light did not come into play.

READ: Abdullah, Imam score centuries but Rawalpindi Test ends in a draw