Imad Wasim yorked by questions about his past by the media

When the Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim turned up for the press conference ahead of the 3^rd ODI between England and Pakistan, little did he know that the interview will target his past. Imad Wasim has been one of the finds of the season for the Pakistani cricket team in the recent times. He scored a brilliant unbeaten 63 and followed it up with a couple of wickets in the 2^nd ODI, albeit in a losing cause.

Interestingly, Imad shares a connection with England and Wales. Imad was born in Wales to Pakistani parents. The reporters were surely pretty much aware about it. One of the reporters was quick to cite the fact and asked him how he managed to play for his country. Once the question was asked about his past, the fellow reporters joined in the conversation and kept digging out questions about Imad’s past and his connection with the English soil.

Imad handled the question very well and said that he was only born in Wales but brought up back home in Islamabad.

“I was born in Wales but I went back and I was raised in Islamabad. So, I was raised in Pakistan basically. I came to England and Ireland to play some league cricket but I am a true Pakistani but I was born in Wales,” quoted the all-rounder.

When asked how his parents landed up in England, Imad answered that his father had a posting in England and worked as an engineer for a couple of years there. “My father had a job there. We were there for like two years. He was in some company, I don’t remember the name exactly but he was an engineer,” said Imad Wasim.

He was up for another question that asked if he still has any relatives in England to which Imad was affirmative. “There are a few family friends there,” answered Imad.

Also read: Batsmen should have the ability to get runs under pressure: Wasim Akram

The most interesting among all questions was about the passport though. Answering a question whether he carries a UK passport, Imad was quick to answer that he doesn’t have one. Before a question could spring up after that, Imad funnily quipped that he is certainly not eligible to play for England.

“Yeah, I can’t play for England,” he conceded.

Once he cleared the questions about his past, he spoke on his role in the team, the return of Ben Stokes and how he deals with pressure situations. He started by saying that it is always a nice feeling to contribute individually but affirmed that what matters is how the team performs at the end of the day.

“It’s really good to perform but we ended up on losing side so I think if I score 30 runs and the team wins I will be happier,” he said. “I believe in winning the game which we are not doing. Performing well is a personal goal but I want our team to win,” he said.

Talking about the return of Ben Stokes, he was in all praise for the fellow all-rounder. He said that his inclusion has only made England stronger. “He is a great cricketer as we all know and he is a genuine all-rounder. So, it will be good for the England team who are already strong but with Stokes having the ball in his hand, they will be stronger,” he said.

Speaking further on his role in the team, he quoted “When I came in the team I said that I can help the team both bat and ball. I have to prove this statement right. If I get more chances [like the one in the second ODI] I will let the team down because I have worked hard for it.”