- Imam-ul-Haq addressed the persistent “parchi” nickname in cricket back in June.
- Despite initial challenges, he remains focused on his performance.
- Imam-ul-Haq shares his experience and perspective on dealing with criticism.
As the debate surrounding Imam-ul-Haq’s performance in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup intensifies, the question of whether he deserves the “parchi” label is a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts.
With only 162 runs in six matches, including a high score of 70 and an average of 27, Imam, Pakistan’s first-choice opener, has faced criticism for not living up to expectations in the tournament.
As he strives to make a significant impact, fans and pundits are evaluating whether his recent performances justify the nickname or if he can silence the critics with an outstanding performance in the upcoming matches.
The prominent Pakistan opening batter recently shared his perspective on the persistent nickname he’s been labelled with – “parchi.” This term is often directed at players who are believed to have secured their positions in the team through connections rather than merit and performance.
As the nephew of former chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imam has faced this moniker throughout his career, but he has developed resilience in the face of it.
In the beginning, Imam-ul-Haq found it challenging to cope with the “parchi” chants, especially considering his extensive cricketing background, including 47 first-class matches, participation in two Under-19 World Cups, and two Pakistani tours.
Despite his cricketing credentials, he continued to face this criticism, which felt unfamiliar and unjust. However, Imam has adopted a pragmatic approach, choosing to ignore the detractors and focus on his game.
He had expressed,
“Yes, at the start it was quite tough. I came to the team after playing 47 first-class matches, two Under-19 World Cups, and two Pakistani tours, getting called parchi even after all that was a very unfamiliar situation for me. I guess it will be like this till my retirement, but Alhumdulillah I went through it, and now when I play cricket, people appreciate me.”
As far as the World Cup 2023 is concerned, Pakistan remain in contention for a spot in the semi-finals. They commenced the competition with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka but encountered losses to India, Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
Their four-game losing streak came to a halt when they secured a convincing victory over Bangladesh in Kolkata. With their dreams of reaching the World Cup semi-finals still intact, Pakistan are determined to build on their recent success and secure another win in their upcoming clash against New Zealand on November 4 in Bengaluru.
Also, see:
How Pakistan can qualify for World Cup 2023 semi-final?
