Pakistan opener Imamul Haq is cautiously optimistic ahead of the challenging tour of South Africa, after scoring 91 runs during the intra-squad practice match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday.

The 35-member Pakistan squad will depart for Johannesburg on March 26 for the three ODIs and four T20Is against South Africa. Imam is part of the ODI squad for the tour.

“We are going to South Africa to play and it is not easy there so you have to develop shots accordingly. You should know how to play square of the wickets shots. We are doing scenario based practice so it is good before the tour,” said Imam, while talking after the 50-over practice match.   

“Every time it is a good and a tough series. It is not easy to defeat them in their home ground but we have a very good bunch of players and we are playing one-day after a long time. It is going to be a challenging series but we will try our best to do very well,” he added.

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He also opened up about the team’s preparations for the tour bearing in mind the lack of ODI matches Pakistan has played in the recent past.

“Obviously, it feels great that you perform well in the practice matches before the tour. It is good for us because the last 50 over match that we played was against Zimbabwe so it was important for us to avail the opportunities that we are getting in the practice matches. It gives you confidence when you perform in the practice matches and if you are in good form it aids you on the tour,” he said.

“Tomorrow is a rest day so we will rest and after that we have the last session in which we will try that all the batsmen and the bowlers avail it properly so when we go to South Africa fully prepared,” he concluded.