Is Imam-ul-Haq’s 65 strike-rate in ODI powerplays acceptable?

[MMHS]

I can't find that detailed post on Imam's batting I posted few months back, but gist of that post was that - he comes from a cricketing family and has got a very good head on shoulders, hence temperament is much better than his cricket, which is very limited in terms of ability & skills. Against substandard attacks, he'll have great stats, just like he has cashed on ZIM; but against tougher opponents - he doesn't have the ability to dominate, neither the attitude to sacrifice, he'll cost PAK big time with his selfish batting.

These days, honestly speaking PCT hardly plays LO games against top sides and individual stats are boosted with lots of soft games - so, Imam will live up with his manipulative stats, probably will lead PCT one day as well.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I can't find that detailed post on Imam's batting I posted few months back, but gist of that post was that - he comes from a cricketing family and has got a very good head on shoulders, hence temperament is much better than his cricket, which is very limited in terms of ability & skills. Against substandard attacks, he'll have great stats, just like he has cashed on ZIM; but against tougher opponents - he doesn't have the ability to dominate, neither the attitude to sacrifice, he'll cost PAK big time with his selfish batting.

These days, honestly speaking PCT hardly plays LO games against top sides and individual stats are boosted with lots of soft games - so, Imam will live up with his manipulative stats, probably will lead PCT one day as well.

I don't disagree with you entirely. But I think its incredibly premature to write him off as someone who is destined to be a selfish accumulator. Players evolve, what matters most is whether or not you can learn from your mistakes and improve in the areas where you lag behind.

Yes, Imam has not delivered in pressure games. But exactly how many pressure games has he played? He's played one Asia Cup and one World Cup, and his performances in those tournaments were not entirely bad. There were a number of bright spots.

What you have completely glossed over is the fact that Imam has scored big runs against quality oppositions and its not all soft games. He was man of the series in the ODI series in South Africa. His highest score of 151 was a blistering knock that tore apart the English bowling attack at Bristol. And though most people will look down on his 80 against Afghanistan, because they are not a top side; it was a terrific knock on tough pitch where the Afghan spinners were spinning circles around the Pakistani batsmen.

For someone with just 39 ODIs under his belt, this is not bad by any means. Yes, his SR is an issue but I think he should be given the time to evolve and grow as a player, rather than constantly being made the target of ridicule as he has been ever since he debuted.

 

[Hasan123]

I can't find that detailed post on Imam's batting I posted few months back, but gist of that post was that - he comes from a cricketing family and has got a very good head on shoulders, hence temperament is much better than his cricket, which is very limited in terms of ability & skills. Against substandard attacks, he'll have great stats, just like he has cashed on ZIM; but against tougher opponents - he doesn't have the ability to dominate, neither the attitude to sacrifice, he'll cost PAK big time with his selfish batting.

These days, honestly speaking PCT hardly plays LO games against top sides and individual stats are boosted with lots of soft games - so, Imam will live up with his manipulative stats, probably will lead PCT one day as well.

Don't think it's selfish. Think he lacks the ability to accelerate. Not sure if he can improve in that aspect but I don't think he is as bad as you are making out.

 

[shariqnoor]

I don't disagree with you entirely. But I think its incredibly premature to write him off as someone who is destined to be a selfish accumulator. Players evolve, what matters most is whether or not you can learn from your mistakes and improve in the areas where you lag behind.

Yes, Imam has not delivered in pressure games. But exactly how many pressure games has he played? He's played one Asia Cup and one World Cup, and his performances in those tournaments were not entirely bad. There were a number of bright spots.

What you have completely glossed over is the fact that Imam has scored big runs against quality oppositions and its not all soft games. He was man of the series in the ODI series in South Africa. His highest score of 151 was a blistering knock that tore apart the English bowling attack at Bristol. And though most people will look down on his 80 against Afghanistan, because they are not a top side; it was a terrific knock on tough pitch where the Afghan spinners were spinning circles around the Pakistani batsmen.

For someone with just 39 ODIs under his belt, this is not bad by any means. Yes, his SR is an issue but I think he should be given the time to evolve and grow as a player, rather than constantly being made the target of ridicule as he has been ever since he debuted.

Exactly what I've been saying all along. That 80 was a top innings and also the one he played against Ireland in the second innings of the test. Counter attacked beautifully. It could've been a humiliation had Imam not batted well there. His contribution has been great.

Also he looked all at ease against Cummins, Starc at the world cup. And a MOS against SA, away from home, and a 150 against England, that too away from home is no mean feat.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Don't think it's selfish. Think he lacks the ability to accelerate. Not sure if he can improve in that aspect but I don't think he is as bad as you are making out.

This is precisely what I feel about him. He is a decent batsman, can score 40s regularly with strike rate of 80. It’s not like Pak cricket is flooded with openers who can replace him. His replacement Ahmad Shahzad/Shan masood etc also plays like him. They don’t have the ability to play fearless cricket.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Does come off as very unlikeable.

But it's good to finally see a Pakistani player that isn't a mental midget. I'm sure all those 'parchi' chants have played a role in developing his fortifying mentality.

He is a mental midget though. Let Kohli shout at his face, or let an Aussie sledge him and lets see how brave he is.

 

[Pakpak]

Let’s all try and be a little more constructive. Whether or not he makes the playing XI on merit, the fact remains that he is likely to play as first choice opener under the current management for the foreseeable future. At the very least, he will remain part of the squad.

So from a coaching perspective, what should Misbah and co do to help him improve his Strike Rate by another 5-10 points?

What can Misbah do? Resign

 

[Zaz]

What can Misbah do

Maybe speaking to him that this sort of selfishness ie slowing for 50s and playing dot after dot isnt acceptable And you wont be part of future plans if this continues

That would be a good start

 

[MMHS]

Ok, selfish might be too strong word (though I do read here that he declined a single in last over in a T20 game recently when he was in 90s), but one thing for sure, Imam knows how to look good from his numbers. If he is not being able to accelerate, he is not going to be one who’ll go after and get out / something you can expect from Fakhar.... even Hafeez actually got out several times trying to enforce the issue.

In that regard, Imam (& Babar as well) are two very un-Pakistani batsmen - I can write many thing against their batting, but from Zaheer to MoYo, and me thing I can say they didn’t play for stats and their overall stats are actually inferior than the batsmen they were. This was not be telling difference with Indian cricket & PAK cricket for decades, before Ganguly & Misbah took charge as Captain. Unfortunately, can’t say that any more and batsmen including Babar, Imam, Azhar, Asad...... gives me an impression that they are playing for milestones -

 

[Thunderbolt14]

There wasnt an improvement He slowed down close to his 50 Another point that raises questions on whether hes playing for himself or pakistan

Good on him if hes working on his release shots But in the meantime we cant have him tuk tuking for another year costing games and tournaments whilst hes figuring out how to improve n expand his game

Intnl cricket is no place for that and its not fair on others waiting in the wings that we let imam carry on in this vain

Slowing down close to 50 or 100 is a mental thing. Sachin did it early on, Babar used to do it.

It’s something that is easily worked on, far more easy than technique. It shows that if he forgets about the milestone even his currently low strike rate would possibly have been 5 plus minus points higher.

And indeed, International cricket is not the place for an unfinished product but he is 80% finished, in my eyes equivalent to Babar 3 years ago. (Obviously not as classy or technically compact). He averages a high amount and needs to put the effort into playing with soft hands and having a positive intent.

 

[Ellipsism]

He is a mental midget though. Let Kohli shout at his face, or let an Aussie sledge him and lets see how brave he is.

If he were a mental midget he would've buckled a long time ago from those constant taunts by Pakistani fans wherever he went.

 

[waleed88]

Ok, selfish might be too strong word (though I do read here that he declined a single in last over in a T20 game recently when he was in 90s), but one thing for sure, Imam knows how to look good from his numbers. If he is not being able to accelerate, he is not going to be one who’ll go after and get out / something you can expect from Fakhar.... even Hafeez actually got out several times trying to enforce the issue.

In that regard, Imam (& Babar as well) are two very un-Pakistani batsmen - I can write many thing against their batting, but from Zaheer to MoYo, and me thing I can say they didn’t play for stats and their overall stats are actually inferior than the batsmen they were. This was not be telling difference with Indian cricket & PAK cricket for decades, before Ganguly & Misbah took charge as Captain. Unfortunately, can’t say that any more and batsmen including Babar, Imam, Azhar, Asad...... gives me an impression that they are playing for milestones -

POTW! Completely agree with this. In this milestones, stats and social media dominated era where they start to trend after a performance... I feel our batsmen in particular and this current crop give the demeanor of trying to help themselves rather than the team. It's a good desire to have, but not at the expense of the team. They thrive on bashing minnows and honestly the with the exception of Babar (who has played match winning knocks since 2018) all of these batsmen are worse off than their stats suggest.

 

[Mercurial]

This shouldn't be an issue as long as he is averaging above 50. He should be partnered by an aggressive opener like Fakhar, not Abid.

 

[Sir-fraz]

I don't disagree with you entirely. But I think its incredibly premature to write him off as someone who is destined to be a selfish accumulator. Players evolve, what matters most is whether or not you can learn from your mistakes and improve in the areas where you lag behind.

Yes, Imam has not delivered in pressure games. But exactly how many pressure games has he played? He's played one Asia Cup and one World Cup, and his performances in those tournaments were not entirely bad. There were a number of bright spots.

What you have completely glossed over is the fact that Imam has scored big runs against quality oppositions and its not all soft games. He was man of the series in the ODI series in South Africa. His highest score of 151 was a blistering knock that tore apart the English bowling attack at Bristol. And though most people will look down on his 80 against Afghanistan, because they are not a top side; it was a terrific knock on tough pitch where the Afghan spinners were spinning circles around the Pakistani batsmen.

For someone with just 39 ODIs under his belt, this is not bad by any means. Yes, his SR is an issue but I think he should be given the time to evolve and grow as a player, rather than constantly being made the target of ridicule as he has been ever since he debuted.

You should like selfie fans, took a decade to get rid of him.

I used to give levy to imam, buts it been pretty clear hes not on that level. Been a solid 2 years now and he hasnt improved at all.

Only difference between imam and shezad is that imam has a better temperment.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

He is the 2nd most consistent batter in Pak after Babar period , Beggars can't be choosers. Name one opener who is better than him in entire Pak domestic?

That doesn't relinquish the need for an aggressive batters in playing XI. But Imam is there to stay even as a middle order batsmen as Haris hardly plays.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

He's a flat track bully who will always cash in against 2nd rate attacks. Fine if you are happy with that, just don't be disappointed when he flops against the big boys which he inevitably will.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

He's a flat track bully who will always cash in against 2nd rate attacks. Fine if you are happy with that, just don't be disappointed when he flops against the big boys which he inevitably will.

and we have Kohlis sitting on the bench?

Fact is we don't even have a consistent minnow basher in our whole domestic setup , If he is a minnow basher who avgs 50+ in ODIs , let him be.

 

[shamaan]

Maybe speaking to him that this sort of selfishness ie slowing for 50s and playing dot after dot isnt acceptable And you wont be part of future plans if this continues

That would be a good start

Hes been doing it for a year so what makes you say hes going to be dropped maybe that his role to play out 50 overs

 

[shamaan]

People need to understand that imaam is limited but he averages 50 only babar averages more.his role is to bat throw the innings and most likely has been told my management to bat like this but if the mansgemt has told to bat at 85 strike rate then he should be dropped for not following instructions its simple as that.

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

Whatever you said about his average but one thing is clear this guy will not perform in tough conditions like yesterday

 

[Saj]

How many batting through the innings batsmen do Pakistan need?

Abid, Babar and Imam. Maybe a few more needed.

 

[trickyone]

How many batting through the innings batsmen do Pakistan need?

Abid, Babar and Imam. Maybe a few more needed.

Add Rizwan, Harris and Chacha Ifti in the list, more or less all of them are same type of batsmen...