Follow UsThe MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is one of the most spin-friendly wickets in India. Pakistan, who have lost their last two games after winning their first two, will have their task cut out as they take on Afghanistan, who boast of a spin department consisting of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Mohammad Nabi.
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 70 against Australia in Bengaluru in the previous game says that his side will take heart from beating Afghanistan 3-0 on spin-friendly surfaces ahead of the World Cup.
"We have already done all the preparations and we have played against Afghanistan in Hambantota where we won 3-0 and they were also spin conditions batting and spin conditions venue," Imam said ahead of the Afghanistan clash.
"But the thing is it's just that - Yes, this is a spin venue ground and we know that and the guys individually really depends how they practice and it's just that every individual has their own preparations and we really back, them we really back their ability and it's just that's how it is."
While Imam acknowledges that Afghanistan have plenty of world-class spinners, it will eventually come down to playing every ball on its merit. "Our start was very good in the last two matches. Our run rate was good in the first 20 to 25 overs. And we suddenly collapsed," Imam notes.
"We talked about that. It's just that this is the time to back players. We discussed what we can change and what we can improve.
"Of course, there are good spinners in Afghanistan who can bowl well in the middle overs. But as I mentioned, we had beaten them in Hambantota 3-0. Even there, the conditions were very spin-friendly. So, we will back that and our ability.
"In the end, you have to play the ball. You don't have to play the bowler. So, it's just that you have to back your ability."
Imam further adds that the focus for everyone in the team has been on the execution of their plans and the team management has backed them throughout despite the results in the last two games. "In all your team meetings, we talk about execution," Imam said.
"When we practice, they do it because our practice is so good that our execution is good. And see, this is how cricket is played. There is no guarantee in life or cricket. We can practice as tough as we can. Management has given our players a lot of confidence. So, you have to believe in that and go into the match with that confidence.
"Our execution is not happening, but after that, we go again and try again and then we go to the ground. This is in our hands, this is controllable. The things that are out of our control, we cannot talk much about them and neither can we do it.
"We know that we left some important catches in our fielding. We practice, we field and we depend on the individual. The same goes with batting and bowling. And then it depends on the individual, how they are thinking and what they are doing."
Pakistan are the only team not to hit a six in the first powerplay this World Cup and have often not made the best of the fielding restrictions. in fact, they have a run-rate of just five in the first 10 0vers. The Netherlands, with a run-rate of four, are the only team who score slower than them.
While starting well is key to putting up a competitive total or chasing down big scores, Imam says that his side believes in laying a good foundation, even if that means not scoring plenty of runs in the first powerplay.
"It's that every team has its own way. We have chased a solid score, 350 or 360, we have chased many times before. Yesterday I was reading the record that we are second in chasing 350," Imam said.
"So obviously, if we are doing something good, we chase 350. So, to doubt how we used to play before and how we play now - every team has its own pattern on how to chase, we aim to build a foundation. It depends on whether you are chasing 350 or not.
"Just two matches back, we chased 350 and in 10 overs, we were 49/2. So, this is very important for you to see."
Pakistan play back-to-back matches in Chennai. After the Afghanistan clash on Monday (October 23), they also take on an in-form South African unit on Friday (October 27).
Imam is keen on walking away with victories in both matches, which would put Pakistan as firm contenders for a place in the semi-final. He is also keen on converting his starts into a big one.
"When you have two back-to-back defeats, your morale is definitely down, but that is life and that is cricket. Ups and downs are a part of life and cricket," the southpaw explains.
"We always have a feeling of positivity in our camp, and we have backed everyone. Our players know that we have the ability to win the match on the day.
"So now we just talk about tomorrow’s match, that we will win it and so that when we go from here, our points [win-loss] will be 4-2 [if we win both matches in Chennai].
"I have also spoken to my coaches about this – that since a long time my score is stuck at 70-80 since 6,7,8 matches. I spoke to my batting coach too, so hopefully this time I'm working on it and I will reach three figures."