Pakistan's Imam relishes World Cup battle with Australia's Starc
"Starc isn't a threat," said Imam. "In fact I am excited over the prospect of facing him.
TAUNTON (AFP) - Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq is relishing facing Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc when the two teams meet in the World Cup in Taunton on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old, a nephew of Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq, said the confidence he had gained from facing England quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood would help him tame the Australia attack.
"Starc isn t a threat," said Imam. "In fact I am excited over the prospect of facing him. Same was said about Archer and Wood but we played them with confidence."
Imam scored a solid 44 in an 82-run opening stand against England in Nottingham, setting up Pakistan s second-highest total ever in a World Cup of 348 for eight in a match they won by 14 runs.
That came after he could only muster two runs in Pakistan s seven-wicket defeat against the West Indies in their opening game, when they were bowled for a paltry 105.
"I have played (Kagiso) Rabada and Dale Steyn in more difficult conditions in South Africa," said Imam, referring to Pakistan s tour of South Africa earlier this year.
Imam was Pakistan s most successful batsman on that one-day international series with 271 runs, including a century, in the five matches.
"You can t say a bowler is threatening," he said. "I try to prepare according to my strengths instead of bowlers strengths. I don t think like that, because you need to beat top teams if you want to play the World Cup final."
Imam, who hit a century on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2017, scored a brilliant 151 against England in the series between the two countries before the World Cup.
He stressed the importance of giving Pakistan a platform in every game, with the help of opening partner Fakhar Zaman, as they prepare to face the defending champions, who will be smarting after a defeat to India.
"If you analyse then you notice that teams have succeeded in the World Cup mostly when the top three players have done well," he said.
