Imam-ul-Haq - the Test player and his potential and the resemblance with Babar pre-2019

[Salman4.]

Been seeing alot of negative posts about him. People are saying that he averages only 25 in test cricket rn and he should be dropped and he is not a test player. People fail to realize that he is the second best batsman in the Pakistani team (Haris is not a professional, he is injured/unfit all the time). We have seen people with averages in mid 30s open for Pakistan and they are called 'legends'. Imam averages 50+ in ODI cricket. He has a phenomenal conversion rate. There is no doubt that he will become a proper test player too given that he is persisted with.

I'd even raise the issue that dropping Imam rn from Tests would be the same as if we had dropped Babar in 2016-18. We wouldn't have had a WC Babar today.

He is one of the most mentally tough guys in the team, even tougher than Babar. He's more likely to play match-winning innings in tests than many other players.

I can't understand people vouching for the selection of the stroke-less wonder, over-confident and mental midget Sami Aslam. He is no more than a domestic bully rn (I'd be happy if he proves me wrong). We all remember how good Sami was in the junior levels but we also know how quickly Imam overtook him at the senior level. Imam could even be a great captain.

At this moment Shan may have maximized his abilities, but there is no doubt whatsoever that Imam has a far higher ceiling than him. Imam knows how to score runs. Imam actually has the potential to become one of the finest for Pakistan. He just needs to be persisted with...and hated less.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I think he is suited to Tests. Not sure if he is aggressive enough as a limited over opener, but in general I agree with you that he is extremely under rated and criticized.

 

[TeamPak95]

I think he is suited to Tests. Not sure if he is aggressive enough as a limited over opener, but in general I agree with you that he is extremely under rated and criticized.

In terms of his ODI exploits, he was one of the main reasons why Pakistan would score 300+ consistently (barring match results). I do agree though that he needs to be more aggressive.

 

[gazza619]

The one thing i really really really dislike about Imam is when he charges down the wicket and pretends to be Mathew Hayden. I mean it does look very ugly most of the times. The lad needs to learn to play his own game. Improvisation is good but it needs to be done in a minimal risk way..needs to work on rotation of strike.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

He's got a cool sensible head on his shoulder that alone will make him walk in to our batting lineup consisting of fragile minded people, even though his short range is limited and he has some technical problems against short pitch stuff , but again we don't have much choice either.

 

[Square Drive]

Don't like his attitude/ego, but hopefully Chachu no longer being selector coupled with him being treated as a bench player in recent times will provide the kick in the backside that was required.

There is no doubt that he is hungry for runs and that his game suits the longer format. His FC stats though are quite poor, and both FC and LA stats are inferior to that of Sami Aslam's.

Still, he does have that mental toughness but for now I think Shan's performances outside of Asia (where Imam has been quite pathetic) and Abid's decent start + FC stats means that the Shan-Abid pair is the left-right combo that should serve us going forward, for the time being.

Sami's QEA performances mean he would be my backup opener but for continuity's sake, I don't mind Imam being there. He really needs to step it up, though. To say that his Test rut is comparable to that of pre-2019 Babar's is a bit of a stretch tbh - Imam really needs to tighten up outside his off stump.

All in all, a spot on the bench in both Tests and ODIs for Imam as extremely fair at this point - although I can see him getting a spot in the ODI playing XI sooner than the Test XI due to Fakhar's form flailing and Abid still being a while away from cementing his spot in ODIs.

I can see Imam and Abid being the ODI pair moving forward, but I think Shan-Abid in Tests is here to stay for a while.

 

[aloo paratha]

He was nicking to slip off Colin DeGrandhomme, and getting struck in the head by bouncers in the UAE of all places.

Not good enough.

 

[aloo paratha]

Don't like his attitude/ego, but hopefully Chachu no longer being selector coupled with him being treated as a bench player in recent times will provide the kick in the backside that was required.

There is no doubt that he is hungry for runs and that his game suits the longer format. His FC stats though are quite poor, and both FC and LA stats are inferior to that of Sami Aslam's.

Still, he does have that mental toughness but for now I think Shan's performances outside of Asia (where Imam has been quite pathetic) and Abid's decent start + FC stats means that the Shan-Abid pair is the left-right combo that should serve us going forward, for the time being.

Sami's QEA performances mean he would be my backup opener but for continuity's sake, I don't mind Imam being there. He really needs to step it up, though. To say that his Test rut is comparable to that of pre-2019 Babar's is a bit of a stretch tbh - Imam really needs to tighten up outside his off stump.

All in all, a spot on the bench in both Tests and ODIs for Imam as extremely fair at this point - although I can see him getting a spot in the ODI playing XI sooner than the Test XI due to Fakhar's form flailing and Abid still being a while away from cementing his spot in ODIs.

I can see Imam and Abid being the ODI pair moving forward, but I think Shan-Abid in Tests is here to stay for a while.

Fakhar did well in the SL ODIs, he still has his place firmly set in the team. People mix up his T20 form with his ODI form. Abid has also cemented his place Imo. For the time being Imam should be a reserve in ODIs, and nowhere near the test team.

 

[Square Drive]

Fakhar did well in the SL ODIs, he still has his place firmly set in the team. People mix up his T20 form with his ODI form. Abid has also cemented his place Imo. For the time being Imam should be a reserve in ODIs, and nowhere near the test team.

I'm aware that Fakhar had a 50-odd and 70-odd in his last 2 ODIs but the 10 ODIs before that, he only reached 50 twice, so I'm assuming they're slowly but surely running out of patience with him (though I'd persist with him for now, personally).

Abid has only played 4 ODIs; Imam has a very healthy ODI average with a larger sample size in comparison.

So while I'd continue with Fakhar and Abid for the time being, I think Imam has a chance of coming back into the side sooner in ODIs than Tests.

 

[Hasan123]

I think he can be a good test player. He is going to have to earn his place because Abid and Shan are ahead in the pecking order.

 

[Markhor]

Imam surprisingly has done much better in ODIs than in Test cricket. His domestic stats led us to believe he'd be more suited to red ball cricket.

Imam's problem has been the short ball, and in Tests he's nicked off against the new ball fishing at deliveries outside off.

Right now, Shan and Abid should be a lock for the Test opening slots. Imam must go back and perform in QEA Trophy.

 

[Titan24]

I like his overall temperament and how he handles the pressure. He does have weakness against short ball and against right arm pacer moving the ball into his pads/stumps but they are far from the things he cant correct in future unless his attitude changes negatively. If he is working hard in nets and showing a good attitude towards his game overall I think he should be there in the scheme of things in tests as well.

He is just 24 and players need to be developed. We have finished careers of some by dropping them from one format or another un necessarily which hindered their growth overall. At the moment he is mostly being considered back up to Abid Ali and Shan Masood and thus havent gotten much full series and even consecutive tests.

Definitely there are some young upcoming openers in the domestics as well however, I believe in giving someone a complete opportunity especially if he is showing the willingness to improve and become a better player in coming years.

 

[TeymurBlake]

There is some work needed for him. He needs to look at himself and work on his batting. He has been overtaken in test cricket and this could be the case in ODI's as well. He is a good compact player and always makes sure he plays to his strength like he prefers to play on the front foot more.

I still believe there is a good player there, who has the right temperament and fitness but he needs to realize his uncle is no longer the CS which means he won't be a automatic pick for the team. So he now needs to work harder and prove to people that he can make it without his uncle's influence. Like I said there's a good player there, so he needs to now prove he can make it.

 

[shamaan]

I think he is suited to Tests. Not sure if he is aggressive enough as a limited over opener, but in general I agree with you that he is extremely under rated and criticized.

I'd go with hes better in odis even thou hes not aggressive in tests he vunrelable down off stump and he cant play short ball

 

[shamaan]

He was nicking to slip off Colin DeGrandhomme, and getting struck in the head by bouncers in the UAE of all places.

Not good enough.

Agreed

 

[shamaan]

I think he can be a good test player. He is going to have to earn his place because Abid and Shan are ahead in the pecking order.

Hes way down the list in tests opppening spot

 

[sweep_shot]

Imam has done well but Babar is a league ahead of all other Pakistani batsmen (including Imam).

Imam's technique isn't that great and he may struggle when he plays in SENA countries.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Imam surprisingly has done much better in ODIs than in Test cricket. His domestic stats led us to believe he'd be more suited to red ball cricket.

Imam's problem has been the short ball, and in Tests he's nicked off against the new ball fishing at deliveries outside off.

Right now, Shan and Abid should be a lock for the Test opening slots. Imam must go back and perform in QEA Trophy.

Really? He was doing better in List A at the time and even now his FC average is under 35 and it was even lower than that when he first came up.

He is still young and early in his career. His SR is only 71 in UAE so that is definitely where he struggles to play with any quickness whatsoever. Something he clearly needs to work on but I think if players start playing in Pakistan full time, we will see much higher SR.

He does struggle with the swinging ball at times so that's something he needs to work on but I do think he is best suited for Test format in the long-term.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He seems to be one of those players that do well when they have a chip on their shoulder so maybe the key really is for fans to remind him how awful he is in Tests so he can find that same inner-strength that he found when people started ostracizing him for his ODI selection.

 

[coy0607]

He's gone from over-hyped to underrated. Arguably second best all-around batsmen in Pakistan based on recent performances.

It's too bad he didn't get a chance against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - would've definitely scored a some runs.

That said, he's not comparable to Babar - I don't think Imam has the same work ethic.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I think the best thing Imam can do is pick Babar’s brain. They are close friends and there is a lot he can learn.

 

[MoFresh23]

The problem that Imam has is that he just needs to have more patience when he's batting and play only the bad balls. Another thing is that he is so focused on limited overs cricket that when he plays Test he plays it as it a limited overs match.

He needs to learn from his colleagues like Babar. He needs to pick Babars brain out and Babar should help him as they are best friends.

A major solution to his problem in playing Test cricket is playing more first class cricket and batting long in those games. This will allow him to know his own game and he will have more experience in playing in the middle.

 

[shamaan]

He's gone from over-hyped to underrated. Arguably second best all-around batsmen in Pakistan based on recent performances.

It's too bad he didn't get a chance against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - would've definitely scored a some runs.

That said, he's not comparable to Babar - I don't think Imam has the same work ethic.

Yes second best in odis about 15 best in tests.
Doesnt have same work ethic doesnt have the same technique and csnt play short ball

 

[shamaan]

I think the best thing Imam can do is pick Babar’s brain. They are close friends and there is a lot he can learn.

He needs to improve his technique first before he picks babars brain

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Imam just has an ego issue, just like Shan he's been a slow starter in tests. I can see him having a future in tests but think we need to trial the likes of Sami Aslam again and somebody new in Imran Butt.

 

[MMHS]

Without uncle, by the age of 30, Imam would have left cricket and move to other career..... he was faaaaast tracked to PAK team when there were few others ahead of him - I posted a data at the start of his career - List A average of 30 at 70 in PAK domestics with one six in entire career & his season stats in the year (& previous one that he was picked) was synonymous to Imran Khan Sr.’s QeA stats before being picked for Australia trip. Apart from famous uncle, his great fortune was that the famous ZIM series came just at the right time - had Kiwi series been swapped with that tour, some one else would have cashed on it, after Imam’s honeymoon in Newzeland. This happens when a significantly better team plays lots of games against a below average team - PAK’s FC level is actually higher in terms of difficultly for batsmen than the reserves of Bobbey Mughabe’s ZIM and whoever opens for five games against them would have “achieved” something - recently our openers posted scary scores like 176, 153, 150..... 4/5 hundreds by two openers in 3 games at a SR around 150!!!!!!

Only, only good quality that he has is guy is groomed in a cricket family, instead of tape ball, his baptism was in proper cricket and that has installed a proper batting sense in him - in other words, his temperament is very good, his shot selection is better than most PAK youngsters and he’ll keep on scoring easy runs against subpar attacks or on batting belters - still at an alarming rate. This is where players like Haider Ali might fail - Haider will play some scorching shots and instead of making it 134 of 127, somehow will find a way to get out after 38 of 29 - eventually loosing his spot as a “hack”. We have moved into an era where ODI batting conditions are often such that 300 is bare minimum, whoever opens in ODI for few years will be a statistical maestro - it was not surprising that in WC, against ENG & SAF, both times PAK bated first and he scored 44 of 58 - it didn’t cost because PAK batted first both times, posted over 300 & won it - make it a case of chase, he’ll make a target of 275 into 300+ after power play.

In cricket terms, Imam is the lefti version of Azhar Ali without that solid defence and judgement - very limited shot making ability, poor against short ball, poor against spin, horrible against balls leaving outside off (no idea of where his off stick line is) and pathetic in manoeuvring balls for singles - he is just a poor man’s Shehzad, who is very good for lower level for his intelligence & temperament - his total package is just not good enough for higher level over a sustainable period.

Let him prove me wrong - I’ll be the first one to praise him the day he makes it count. So far, I have stuck one correct : “once his uncle is booted, Imam will struggle to find a place in squad, let alone playing XI”. Ok, it took 29 men squad to prove me wrong .....

 

[Hawkeye]

A much more capable batsman than the dud Shan Masood.

Has decent Test technique and temperament.

Should replace Masood asap.

 

[shamaan]

A much more capable batsman than the dud Shan Masood.

Has decent Test technique and temperament.

Should replace Masood asap.

Have you seen him play the full shot ?

 

[ZamanFan]

20 years from now, when people will assess how was merit destroyed and why Pakistan was not competitive. Imam ul haq, Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Misbah, selector Inzamam, Shoaib Malik and Hafeez will be poster boys of corruption and mafias in cricket board which devastated Pakistan cricket.

The players are easy targets the mafias behind them easily hide themselves and continue to achieve their objectives. One should ask can any cricket lover want to watch these people and waste their time? Will not watch thus series congrats to the mafia in PCB and BoG.

 

[Hasan123]

Hes way down the list in tests opppening spot

I think him playing LO hasn't helped him. He doesn't know where his off stump is.

 

[shariqnoor]

We're going to destroy another batsman that we could've made into an excellent batsman.

 

[shamaan]

I think him playing LO hasn't helped him. He doesn't know where his off stump is.

Agreed but even then I dont think he can servive in sena conditions he will be fount wanting against short ball

 

[shamaan]

We're going to destroy another batsman that we could've made into an excellent batsman.

Hes a decent batesman in odis but in tests.....

 

[The Viper]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Imam-Ul-Haq has had to retire hurt in the Team Green versus Team White match after being hit on the left hand from a ball by Naseem Shah <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1286709687170342912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

The word on Imam is his hand is being iced and the injury is not thought to be "too serious."

 

[shamaan]

The word on Imam is his hand is being iced and the injury is not thought to be "too serious."

Naseem shah seems like hes injruiring everyone lol

 

[The Viper]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Imam-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the Test series against South Africa as he is yet to recover from the thumb injury that he sustained in New Zealand <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSA</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1349786040530300928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

So is he the answer to our opening woes?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

So is he the answer to our opening woes?

I don't think so. He averages just 25 after 11 tests. Not a single century so far.

 

[Amjid Javed]

FC (Red ball stats)

http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Pakistan/Players/459/459921/f_Batting_by_Season.html

His pathetic stats for everyone to see

 

[MenInG]

Imam scored 97 today for Balochistan on Day 1, Round 1 of QeA

 

[MenInG]

His 6th FC 100 today on Day 2 of Round 2 of QeA

 

[MenInG]

QeA Trophy Round 4, Day 2:

Lahore, 11 November 2021: Balochistan’s Imam-ul-Haq scored his first-class career’s best score of 202 not out against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on day two of the fifth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22.

The left-handed batter added 92 runs to his overnight score, which propelled Balochistan to 463 for five in 137.5 overs before Imran Butt, who had made 140 yesterday, declared the innings.

This was Imam’s second double-century in the format as he bested his unbeaten 200. Imam smashed 16 fours and four sixes in his 390-ball innings and added 172 runs for the third wicket with Haris Sohail, who made 79 (six fours and four sixes).

 

[Amjid Javed]

His 6th FC 100 today on Day 2 of Round 2 of QeA

how many matches or inns has he played to get his 6th hundred?

 

[transparent opacity]

So now that he has been selected for the TEST series against Bangladesh, I think he should be given an opportunity to showcase his talent in the longer format.
He should open the innings with Abid Ali

 

[Sher Khan]

Kick in the knee for Imam

Abdullah Shafique debuting as an opener in place of him and having played only three First Class Matches in his life. Not a good scenario for Imam's confidence. I bet Imam must be wondering what he has done wrong. He must be hurting and feeling as if he has been kicked in the knee.

Fair enough he hasn't set the world alight in test cricket yet. But he has a wonderful ODI record and definetly had the temperament to bat for long periods of time. I'm amazed that Pakistan is wasting him, considering the lack of options we have.

 

[gazza619]

Abdullah Shafique debuting as an opener in place of him and having played only three First Class Matches in his life. Not a good scenario for Imam's confidence. I bet Imam must be wondering what he has done wrong. He must be hurting and feeling as if he has been kicked in the knee.

Fair enough he hasn't set the world alight in test cricket yet. But he has a wonderful ODI record and definetly had the temperament to bat for long periods of time. I'm amazed that Pakistan is wasting him, considering the lack of options we have.

I know what you are saying but he needs to stay strong. He is still a very young fella.

Azhar Ali is on his last legs, Abid Ali will be found out soon, there is only a little bit of gas left in Fawad Alam.

I am sure there will be a spot in the test XI for Imam if he continues to do the right things.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Just because he bats slowly in one days doesn’t automatically make him suitable for test cricket.

I don’t see the babar comparison either. Babar was in a different league talent wise.

Imam struggles against quality bowling and his weakness against the short stuff will be exposed against better teams.

Just scoring in a couple of FC games on dead pitches with 11 out of 12 games drawn thus far isn’t good justification for bringing him back again.

Hopefully in a year or so huraira or some other domestic opener can be ready to have a go. Imam is not the solution.

 

[Concerned]

Just because Imam starts his ODI innings in a test style approach, this does not mean he gets a place in Test.

Not that bothered if he’s in or out.

 

[shamaan]

Imaam is lucky that he actually got into the 15 man squad.

 

[MenInG]

Given success of the Abid-Shafique partnership, Imam may find his playing days will be under threat unless he can do an Azhar Ali and move himself to number 3?

 

[Bullet Drive]

Given success of the Abid-Shafique partnership, Imam may find his playing days will be under threat unless he can do an Azhar Ali and move himself to number 3?

He is no where near Abdullah, Zaryab, Huraira or Omair Yousuf.

 

[hitthestump]

Given success of the Abid-Shafique partnership, Imam may find his playing days will be under threat unless he can do an Azhar Ali and move himself to number 3?

Why should we talk about him giving up when neither of Abid or Shafique are world class?

If Imam wants the opening slot then he can wrest it away with good performances.

It's been so long since we had healthy competition for the opening slot. It feels like it's been a merry go-round since Sohail-Anwar. I'm glad that Imam is performing and can't get into the side - it is the best thing that's happened to the opening position in a while.

 

[MenInG]

Why should we talk about him giving up when neither of Abid or Shafique are world class?

If Imam wants the opening slot then he can wrest it away with good performances.

It's been so long since we had healthy competition for the opening slot. It feels like it's been a merry go-round since Sohail-Anwar. I'm glad that Imam is performing and can't get into the side - it is the best thing that's happened to the opening position in a while.

My point is - lets assume these 2 have another good game in next Test, where does that leave Imam?

 

[Amjid Javed]

My point is - lets assume these 2 have another good game in next Test, where does that leave Imam?

He will be seen as the back up opener for the next series. Imam needs to improve his game against the short ball and continue to get runs domestically if hes going to get back into playing 11.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Given success of the Abid-Shafique partnership, Imam may find his playing days will be under threat unless he can do an Azhar Ali and move himself to number 3?

we have plenty of domestic players who could do a job at number 3, we dont need to use an opening batsmen in that position. weve already had Azhar hold that position hostage with his poor performances over last 2 or 3 years.

 

[PakEngFan]

He is no where near Abdullah, Zaryab, Huraira or Omair Yousuf.

I have seen Zaryab. Imam is comfortably better. I agree the likes of Abdullah and Huraira has a lot of potential. While omair is similar level to imam.

 

[Bullet Drive]

I have seen Zaryab. Imam is comfortably better. I agree the likes of Abdullah and Huraira has a lot of potential. While omair is similar level to imam.

LOL

Omair and Zaryab >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Imam

It goes like this:


1. Abdullah
2. Huraira
3. Omair
4. Zaryab
5. Imam

Talking about red ball cricket btw.

 

[PakEngFan]

LOL

Omair and Zaryab >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Imam

It goes like this:


1. Abdullah
2. Huraira
3. Omair
4. Zaryab
5. Imam

Talking about red ball cricket btw.

That’s you opinion and I respect it. But what I have seen of them 2 they aren’t as good as imam specially not zaryab.

 

[TeymurBlake]

He needs to work on his deficiencies and improve his game. 1-2 good seasons in domestic cricket could do wonders for his career. Maybe even a stint in county cricket could help.

 

[shamaan]

That’s you opinion and I respect it. But what I have seen of them 2 they aren’t as good as imam specially not zaryab.

Zaryab is OK but he's not better than imaam.

 

[shamaan]

That’s you opinion and I respect it. But what I have seen of them 2 they aren’t as good as imam specially not zaryab.

Zaryab is OK but he's not better than imaam.

 

[Saj]

I think the Imam of today is still at a similar level he was when he played his first few international matches.

I don't want to sound too harsh but to me it seems he's not gone up a level or two and hasn't worked on his problems.

 

[MenInG]

Imam's inclusion in the Test squad for Australia - will Shan be preferred over him?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aussie bowlers will be licking their lips at a freebie wicket if he plays. plenty of chin music against his flimsy technic

 

[shamaan]

Aussie bowlers will be licking their lips at a freebie wicket if he plays. plenty of chin music against his flimsy technic

Shan should definitely play over Imaam who hasn't done anything at all in tests.

 

[gazza619]

I dont have much confidence in either Imam or Shan in the test XI.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Although Imam Ul-Haq is selected for the Test squad, at the moment, he is not good enough for any format apart from ODIs, however, even in ODIs, there is Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood who can possibly perform better than Imam while opening in ODIs.

Although, I've been a big fan of Imam Ul-Haq over these years, and I've been impressed with the improvements he has made to ODI, when he got crictisiced a lot in his first ODI matches, unfortunately, he still doesn't have a good range of shots.

Just because he bats slow that doesn't mean he is suited for test cricket, in fact, he was never good at test cricket. Same for T20s.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

When it comes to Imam and Shan, I'd pick Shan. Imam tends to get off the strike as soon as possible and lets the other opener face the music. Shan in that way is quite selfless.

 

[shamaan]

Although Imam Ul-Haq is selected for the Test squad, at the moment, he is not good enough for any format apart from ODIs, however, even in ODIs, there is Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood who can possibly perform better than Imam while opening in ODIs.

Although, I've been a big fan of Imam Ul-Haq over these years, and I've been impressed with the improvements he has made to ODI, when he got crictisiced a lot in his first ODI matches, unfortunately, he still doesn't have a good range of shots.

Just because he bats slow that doesn't mean he is suited for test cricket, in fact, he was never good at test cricket. Same for T20s.

Even in odis it will be hard to keep his place thiers Abdullah,Rizwan,Hurraira,Shan who will be knocking on the door.

 

[MenInG]

Playing well at the moment - low risk batting

 

[Firebat]

Reaches a brilliant and positive half-century on the first morning.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/kjfd16" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[MenInG]

Talk Nah

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Wow. Imam you Cark Kent looking Chad in a nerd's body.

Well done! Mazaa aa gya!

 

[mazkhan]

He's a good player has been a solid performer since u19 days

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pure emotion from the Pakistan opener! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/NwKraI4dn8">pic.twitter.com/NwKraI4dn8</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1499704957238321155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[sweep_shot]

Brilliant from Imam. He is looking good for a daddy ton.

 

[shamaan]

Brilliant stuff from Imaam his concentration and ability to occupy the creese was very good.it was good to see that he was using his feet to Lyon and not letting him settle.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Saj]

Still not popular with some.

Cheers from some when they were showing the review for the lbw and it was clear he was out.