INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Sarfraz proud of Imam and Babar as Pakistan survive Ireland scarePakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed praised the
did not backfire.Only three times in the 141-year history of Test cricket have a side won after following-on but when Pakistan were 14 for
format with a stunning success.But 22-year-old left-handed opener Imam, himself making a Test debut, responded to the pressure of the
situation with a composed 74 not out -- his third fifty of the tour following half-centuries in warm-up matches against Kent and
Northamptonshire.Together with the 23-year-old Babar, who made 59 after being dropped on nine shortly after lunch, he shared a stand of 126
that took Pakistan to the brink of an eventual five-wicket win over a competitive Ireland side.The way Imam in particular coped under grey
skies against some lively pace bowling was an especially heartening sign for Pakistan ahead of their upcoming two-Test series in England,
chase again.Their previous Test, against Sri Lanka in the UAE in October, saw them beaten after a target of 136 proved beyond them as
left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took six wickets for 43 runs."Definitely we were worried when we were down 14 for three," Sarfraz told
character, they showed their confidence."I think the way they played gives great confidence to the team and will help them in the next
matches as well," the wicket-keeper added.Pakistan were reeling after losing three wickets inside five overs and their skipper feared
were chasing 136 and we were all out for about 120."Yeah we were thinking when we called for the follow-on if we were batting in the fourth
innings it would be very difficult," he added.Pakistan, understandably enough, have been struggling to replace the likes of retired veteran
batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.But Imam, whose selection for the tour led to allegations of nepotism given he is the nephew of
Sarfraz was in buoyant mood."We are very confident
We are a very young side, we had two debutant players, but we were very confident whatever the target will come, we will chase it down."At
14 for three there was a little bit of concern but the way Imam and Babar Azam were as a collective, it was very important the way these two
