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Imam-ul-Haq joins Yorkshire for the rest of the County season

Ball Blazer

Ball Blazer

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Yorkshire CCC is pleased to announce that Imam Ul-Haq will join as an overseas signing for the remainder of the season.

The Pakistan multi-format international will go straight into the squad for this week’s clash with Surrey at Scarborough and remain with the team for the Metro Bank One Day Cup and the remaining Rothesay County Championship games in September.

The left-hander, nephew of Pakistan great Inzamam, has a first-class average of 43 and comes off the back of helping his team Pakistan Television win their domestic first-class trophy, the President’s Cup in March.

Gavin Hamilton, General Manager of Cricket, said, “We’re delighted that Imam has joined us and that he will be available immediately.

“Whilst we were naturally disappointed that Ruturaj couldn’t join up with the squad, in Imam we have an exceptional player of proven international quality.

“Imam has an impressive record and is already familiar with domestic cricket in this country which will stand us in good stead for a crucial block of fixtures.

“We are grateful for the speed in which he has arrived in the country and everyone at the Club is looking forward to working with him through until the end of the season.”

Source: https://yorkshireccc.com/news/imam-ul-haq-to-join-yorkshire/
 
Tukka lag gya after Rutraj pulled out but hope he can make the most of the stint.

Anyone know when Abdullah leaves Yorkshire?
 
August 2007: Inzamam Ul-Haq makes a Yorkshire debut alongside Anthony McGrath in Scarborough

July 2025: Imam Ul-Haq is selected by Anthony McGrath for a Yorkshire debut in Scarborough
 
Northamptonshire vs Yorkshire, Group B: England Domestic One-Day Cup 2025

Imam will be in action for Yorkshire here. HIs team won the toss and chose to bat first so he might be out there with Bat soon..
 
He is better than Hussain Talat and Fahim Ashraf for sure, should be back in ODIs as a middle order batter.
 
mazkhan said:
Don't know how abdullah shafique is ahead of this guy
Click to expand...

Imam is trash. He is a shotless wonder.

Abdullah Shafique is technically far superior and can bat at a much better tempo. The problem with him is he’s a very nervous starter, so he will go out for a lot of low scores.

Imam is a joke of batsman.
 
topspin said:
Imam is trash. He is a shotless wonder.

Abdullah Shafique is technically far superior and can bat at a much better tempo. The problem with him is he’s a very nervous starter, so he will go out for a lot of low scores.

Imam is a joke of batsman.
Click to expand...
Imam is top 5 odi opener for Pakistan.
 
Yorkshire vs Lancashire, Group B:

Imam is playing for Yorkshire here. He scored a mammoth score fo 159 of 130 balls in the last game.

Let's see what he is gonna do here.
 
Imad is a stodgy, stolid average batsman who at the international level looks like he will nurdle, push and block his way to a 35 or 40.

But within his obvious limits - he won’t win you the game, or even set a pace - he often is the best choice for a Pakistan that is often bereft of batting choices.
 
61 off 78 for Imam as Yorkshire need 168 runs to win in 26.5 ovs vs Lancashire
 
Ball Blazer said:
61 off 78 for Imam as Yorkshire need 168 runs to win in 26.5 ovs vs Lancashire
Click to expand...
Imam-ul-Haq’s brilliant run continues in the Metro One-Day Cup 2025. Pakistan batter played an outstanding innings of 117(124), leading Yorkshire to a strong position in their chase against Lancashire in Group B.
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Imam-ul-Haq’s brilliant run continues in the Metro One-Day Cup 2025. Pakistan batter played an outstanding innings of 117(124), leading Yorkshire to a strong position in their chase against Lancashire in Group B.
Click to expand...

Deserves another ODI comeback for such knocks in a high quality tournament
 
Him and Fakhar are Pakistan’s best ODI openers since Saeed Anwar. He deserves to be back in the team.

He knows how to score runs and get hundreds. His selection in the ODI format is a no-brainer.
 
topspin said:
Imam is trash. He is a shotless wonder.

Abdullah Shafique is technically far superior and can bat at a much better tempo. The problem with him is he’s a very nervous starter, so he will go out for a lot of low scores.

Imam is a joke of batsman.
Click to expand...
We're is the faster temp batter ?
 
Fakhar
saim
Farhaan
Imaam

These 4 are the only openers who should be in contention in odis.
 
shamaan said:
We're is the faster temp batter ?
Click to expand...

Even if there are none of these "faster temp batter" in Pakistan, this does not mean all of a sudden go backwards, so no you cannot warrant for the selection of a left handed Misbah.

At face value people see his ODI average and think he must be a decent and a consistent player. But you have to take a deeper dive into his stats and watch him bat.

There is a reason why his strike rate in ODIs is a pathetic 81 in a relatively batting friendly era - with respect to limited overs cricket.

This strike rate is nothing worthy of mention and if you watch him play, what you will find is that he has a very limited range of shots. As a result of his severe limitations, he had no choice but to adopt the Misbah-esque brand of low risk cricket.

If you cannot take risks as a batsman (let alone succeed in taking risks), you are not a good white ball batsman.

When we look at white ball cricket in the current era, the fundamentals in T20s and ODIs are actually the same. ODIs in the modern game are actually an extension of the shortest format. Hence why there is no room for accumulators in T20s nor can a side afford to accommodate more than one of them in 50 over cricket.

Have you ever wondered why Imam is not even on the radar for any of the PSL sides? He hasn't played a PSL game since 2021 but let's see how he fared back then:

1755036053922.png


So the key takeaways from this are:

- Average of 17 runs per match
- Strike rate of 109
- 1 six in 6 innings

These are all terrible stats.

If he is struggling to get a PSL contract, what hope is there that he will succeed in international white ball cricket? This is just common sense. You do not have to be some sort of genius to figure this out.

Another reason why I cannot stand Imam is because of his arrogance. I have no problem with having an ego if you can back it up with performances. Having arrogance can be a good thing but not if you are a strokeless wonder. In an interview before the 2019 World Cup, Imam said that he was an “automatic selection”. Does he think he is the next coming of Saeed Anwar?

It is pertinent to mention the last time I watched him play, he put on a lot of weight and looked rather unfit, so this is another reason for why it is hard for me to take him seriously.

Having said all that, I will embrace him if he can improve his shot range and prove form and fitness in domestic and franchise white ball cricket.
 
topspin said:
Even if there are none of these "faster temp batter" in Pakistan, this does not mean all of a sudden go backwards, so no you cannot warrant for the selection of a left handed Misbah.

At face value people see his ODI average and think he must be a decent and a consistent player. But you have to take a deeper dive into his stats and watch him bat.

There is a reason why his strike rate in ODIs is a pathetic 81 in a relatively batting friendly era - with respect to limited overs cricket.

This strike rate is nothing worthy of mention and if you watch him play, what you will find is that he has a very limited range of shots. As a result of his severe limitations, he had no choice but to adopt the Misbah-esque brand of low risk cricket.

If you cannot take risks as a batsman (let alone succeed in taking risks), you are not a good white ball batsman.

When we look at white ball cricket in the current era, the fundamentals in T20s and ODIs are actually the same. ODIs in the modern game are actually an extension of the shortest format. Hence why there is no room for accumulators in T20s nor can a side afford to accommodate more than one of them in 50 over cricket.

Have you ever wondered why Imam is not even on the radar for any of the PSL sides? He hasn't played a PSL game since 2021 but let's see how he fared back then:

View attachment 156840


So the key takeaways from this are:

- Average of 17 runs per match
- Strike rate of 109
- 1 six in 6 innings

These are all terrible stats.

If he is struggling to get a PSL contract, what hope is there that he will succeed in international white ball cricket? This is just common sense. You do not have to be some sort of genius to figure this out.

Another reason why I cannot stand Imam is because of his arrogance. I have no problem with having an ego if you can back it up with performances. Having arrogance can be a good thing but not if you are a strokeless wonder. In an interview before the 2019 World Cup, Imam said that he was an “automatic selection”. Does he think he is the next coming of Saeed Anwar?

It is pertinent to mention the last time I watched him play, he put on a lot of weight and looked rather unfit, so this is another reason for why it is hard for me to take him seriously.

Having said all that, I will embrace him if he can improve his shot range and prove form and fitness in domestic and franchise white ball cricket.
Click to expand...
But you said Abdullah Shafique bats at a faster pace however we are yet to see that.Also Babar and Rizwan proberly have similar strike rates to Imaam (different batting positions).
 
I can accept Imam not getting into the playing XI because of Saim and Fakhar, but he has to be the first choice backup option.

Shafique has done nothing in his ODI career to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
 
shamaan said:
But you said Abdullah Shafique bats at a faster pace however we are yet to see that.Also Babar and Rizwan proberly have similar strike rates to Imaam (different batting positions).
Click to expand...

This is not true and if anything exposes either your pro-Imam agenda and/or reading of the game. I'm sure @Rana will confirm this for us.

Abdullah Shafique was far superior to Imam in the 2023 World Cup. He averaged 42 at a strike rate of 93 with 50+ scores in 4 of his 8 games.

Imam had a slightly lower strike rate but he struggled to score runs when he tried to bat at a higher tempo. In contrast, he averaged 27 in 6 matches and could only manage one half century during the tournament.

I have no problem with Abdullah Shafique being dropped because he's got his issues but I do not want to see him replaces for an inferior tried and tested player like Imam.
 
topspin said:
This is not true and if anything exposes either your pro-Imam agenda and/or reading of the game. I'm sure @Rana will confirm this for us.

Abdullah Shafique was far superior to Imam in the 2023 World Cup. He averaged 42 at a strike rate of 93 with 50+ scores in 4 of his 8 games.

Imam had a slightly lower strike rate but he struggled to score runs when he tried to bat at a higher tempo. In contrast, he averaged 27 in 6 matches and could only manage one half century during the tournament.

I have no problem with Abdullah Shafique being dropped because he's got his issues but I do not want to see him replaces for an inferior tried and tested player like Imam.
Click to expand...
That was in 2023 what's his record after that.Oppening should be Fakhar,Saim and farhaan as back up opener.However if I had to choose between Imaam or Abdullah I will pick Imaam.
 
topspin said:
This is not true and if anything exposes either your pro-Imam agenda and/or reading of the game. I'm sure @Rana will confirm this for us.

Abdullah Shafique was far superior to Imam in the 2023 World Cup. He averaged 42 at a strike rate of 93 with 50+ scores in 4 of his 8 games.

Imam had a slightly lower strike rate but he struggled to score runs when he tried to bat at a higher tempo. In contrast, he averaged 27 in 6 matches and could only manage one half century during the tournament.

I have no problem with Abdullah Shafique being dropped because he's got his issues but I do not want to see him replaces for an inferior tried and tested player like Imam.
Click to expand...

@Rana I've just had a look at some of your interactions with shaaman and I totally get it. It's like banging your head on the wall. :ROFLMAO:
 
topspin said:
@Rana I've just had a look at some of your interactions with shaaman and I totally get it. It's like banging your head on the wall. :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Bro he’s not very chalaak. He means no harm. I don’t count him in the list of those who need the regular phenta from me.
 
topspin said:
But you are the not most chalaak. This is what you said in 2023:



Giving his wicket away is exactly what he was doing during the 2023 World Cup.
Click to expand...
He is decently good he isn't rubbish and he isn't brilliant.sure he gave his wickets away but does that mean we drop all players after a few failures.Abdullah technique is overally rated.
 
Oh yaar yeh Aap sab ko paagal bana raha hai.

He’s finished.

Fakhar will be back and opening with Saim.

Sahibzada is a better option anyways for 2nd/3rd opener.

Maaz Sadaqat has way more potential and could be backed as well.
 
55 (83)
159 (130)
117 (124)

With 331 runs in the One-Day Cup, Imam-ul-Haq is the only batter to have crossed 250 runs in the tournament so far
 
He's started slow but he's has gotten some serious runs under his belt.

With all this being said, Sahibzada Farhan, Yasir Khan & Fakhar Zaman should be ahead of him in the pecking order. Remember his recall in the Intl. side in the champions trophy & remember how unfit he was.
 
To be honest Imam isn't a bad player. He is a solid batsman on flattish wickets. He reminds me a bit about Ahmed Shehzad. Another reasonable player with good foundations and a bit of grit. Not a hack by any means


However both of them lacked that ability to build on their good foundations and become better players.

In Imams case what is staggering is that he has shown no ambition to play T20 cricket. For an ODI specialist to show no ambition to even get into a franchise team from his own bloody country is an indication of their complete lack of ambition and complete lack of desire for self improvement.
 
Gavin Hamilton says Yorkshire have “more than struck gold” with the overseas signing of Imam-Ul-Haq

General manager of cricket Hamilton has revealed that Imam is without doubt under consideration for a return to the county in 2026.

“It’s possibly a bit early to say anything for definite just yet,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s latest Group B clash with Somerset at York, starting at 11am.

“But, look, it’s hugely on the radar.

“We also had Abdullah Shafique for a short period of time. And they’ve both been class.

“They’ve shown what old-school batters can do, still attack and play in the modern game. Abdullah scored those two fifties at the back end of the Blast (against Lancashire and Leicestershire), and they’ve both controlled the innings and added some stability.

“I always say this when I speak about overseas players. It’s about building that rapport with these guys. They need to enjoy being here, and it makes those conversations about returning much easier.

“Pending international commitments, depending where Imam and Abdullah are, they’ll definitely be top of the agenda if we’re looking at batters. 100 percent.”

“It was all very quick. Ruturaj pulled out on the Thursday, and we were playing Surrey in the Championship on the following Tuesday. Could we turn it around quick enough.

“As it was, he was available, and we got it all up and running by the Friday night.

“We were told his visa was all sorted, and unfortunately it didn’t quite turn out that way. But, look, I would say that it ended up turning out for the better.

“We had a really good game against Surrey, and I think for him to be around the group and see what we’re about was a really good thing. It enabled him to hit the ground running against Sussex and then obviously into the 50-over stuff.

“He looks so at ease at the crease. He’s good in defence and leaves very well but knows when to attack when he needs to.

“He’s an old-school, modern-day player if that makes sense.

“He’s a great lad as well. Speaking to the players, they love having him around.”
yorkshireccc.com

Preview: Yorkshire Men v Somerset, MBODC - Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Gavin Hamilton says Yorkshire have “more than struck gold” with the overseas signing of Imam-Ul-Haq.
yorkshireccc.com yorkshireccc.com
 
Vikram1989 said:
Do u think genes?inzi was almost the same
Click to expand...
Inzi gets flack for his weight but nobody can deny he was a great cricketer, achieved a lot in the game and for his country. Most teams would kill for an Inzi. He has a modest ICC tournament record but for 90s players bilaterals and multi team non ICC tournaments were massive games too.

If IMam wasn't related to him he wouldn't ever be featured in a sentence with a player like Inzi!
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Inzi gets flack for his weight but nobody can deny he was a great cricketer, achieved a lot in the game and for his country. Most teams would kill for an Inzi. He has a modest ICC tournament record but for 90s players bilaterals and multi team non ICC tournaments were massive games too.

If IMam wasn't related to him he wouldn't ever be featured in a sentence with a player like Inzi!
Click to expand...
Inzi got more talent in his little finger than Imam.My complaint is that Inzi never upgraded his thought process when every other team is moving towards more professional approach since 2000's.He never bothered about it till he retired even though he was the captain of a decent/good team.
 
Vikram1989 said:
Inzi got more talent in his little finger than Imam.My complaint is that Inzi never upgraded his thought process when every other team is moving towards more professional approach since 2000's.He never bothered about it till he retired even though he was the captain of a decent/good team.
Click to expand...
Inzamam lost a lot of weight before the 2003 World Cup and couldn’t buy a run, before he restored back to his regular diet of parathas and mithai and scored heaps of runs between 2004 and until his retirement.

I don’t think he was capable of living a healthy lifestyle. He probably would have had a worse career if he was more professional.
 
Inzamam was a great player but somehow didn't score that much against prime Aussies during that era which likes of Sachin & Lara did regularly.

He did win the World Cup before Sachin & Lara's 2004 Champions Trophy victory.
 
Yorkshire’s in-form opener Imam-Ul-Haq misses out on today's game against Somerset due to a minor hip niggle sustained during the last game against Lancashire on Tuesday.
 
Mamoon said:
Him and Fakhar are Pakistan’s best ODI openers since Saeed Anwar. He deserves to be back in the team.

He knows how to score runs and get hundreds. His selection in the ODI format is a no-brainer.
Click to expand...
This isn't 2019 anymore. His problem is the same as the problem with Babar in T20. Strike rate. It was exposed in 2023 WC. He needs to up his game to compete with young guns e.g. H Nawaz, S Ayub.
 
RidiculousMan said:
This isn't 2019 anymore. His problem is the same as the problem with Babar in T20. Strike rate. It was exposed in 2023 WC. He needs to up his game to compete with young guns e.g. H Nawaz, S Ayub.
Click to expand...
SR is overrated in ODIs. Pakistan don’t have the luxury of not picking an opener who averages 47 in spite of a prolonged rough patch.

Imam, Babar, Rizwan and Saud all need to be part of the ODI team and you can surround them with players like Ayub and H Nawaz to provide the extra oomph.
 
Mamoon said:
SR is overrated in ODIs. Pakistan don’t have the luxury of not picking an opener who averages 47 in spite of a prolonged rough patch.

Imam, Babar, Rizwan and Saud all need to be part of the ODI team and you can surround them with players like Ayub and H Nawaz to provide the extra oomph.
Click to expand...
SR is not overrated. It's a necessity.

Why do you suggest to surround them with players like Ayub or Nawaz then? Why not surround them with the likes of Saud? That will provide the extra oomph.

An ODI SR of 81.95 is not acceptable in today's odi cricket. it wasn't in 2023 and it isn't now. He need to improve. At least come to 90. (I will accept a trade off in his average by 10 even).

In the near future we will have evidence also whether the rule of one ball after 35th over is going to have a significant negative impact on par scores or not. But right now Imam needs to evolve.
 
In today's encounter vs Middlesex, Imam scored 54 off 66 and remained not out. His inning played crucial role in Yorkshire's 7-wicket win while chasing a 130-run target,.
 
Since start of 2023 Asia Cup, he has a 24 AVG and 78 SR. He made a comeback for the CT match after doing well in domestic only to soil himself vs India. He is simply not a big match player and his record in tournaments, including WC, CT and Asia Cup remain abysmal.

He is a symptom of an issue that is plaguing Pakistan which is dots, lack of power and zero ability to counterpunch when things are tough. He is nothing more than a bi-lateral player and at this point, he is what he is. He has added zero shots or expanded his range at all since he started playing and unless he shows a vastly different play style in domestic, I would simply try other options. Openers is literally the easiest position to fill in Pakistan anyways.
 
Nasty Naz said:
Since start of 2023 Asia Cup, he has a 24 AVG and 78 SR. He made a comeback for the CT match after doing well in domestic only to soil himself vs India. He is simply not a big match player and his record in tournaments, including WC, CT and Asia Cup remain abysmal.

He is a symptom of an issue that is plaguing Pakistan which is dots, lack of power and zero ability to counterpunch when things are tough. He is nothing more than a bi-lateral player and at this point, he is what he is. He has added zero shots or expanded his range at all since he started playing and unless he shows a vastly different play style in domestic, I would simply try other options. Openers is literally the easiest position to fill in Pakistan anyways.
Click to expand...
The reason players like him were not dropped for their average or consistency. But rather because of a lack of acceleration and power game in modern era.

I find it funny that these players and their fans will shout for injustice for their players after they score heavy runs, but did not addressed the very problem that they were dropped from the team for.
 
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