Well we certainly would have lost that match vs Afghanistan if he didn't play that innings, it was only ended by a run out as well, think he could have got a century if not for that moment of madness.
Against Bangladesh, we lost because no other batsman gave him enough support, he opened the innings, scored 83 off 105, perfectably acceptable SR considering we were chasing below 250. He opened the batting but we were 18-3 as Zaman, golden boy Azam and Sarfaraz all got out cheaply. Him and Malik got a recovery partnership, Malik got out, Shadab came in and played a Test innings, and Imam was there through all of that. Then that partnership between Asif Ali and him looked like putting us back on course, then Asif Ali got out, and our tail had been exposed. Imam got out the next over after Asif Ali did, and he was stumped after coming down the track as he knew that he had no options but to get runs, so unfair to criticise him for that.
As I've said before, I don't think he's a long term solution in ODI's either, but the point I'm trying to make is that on his ODI career so far, he can't be dropped. If he fails in the SA tour, I won't be disappointed as that would mean he is less likely to make the WC squad, and as said previously, don't think he would do very good in the WC, don't think he's suited to the England ODI pitches. Not sure why people are acting as if I'm his biggest fan when that's not the case, just think people are overly critical of him, because it is the typical Pakistani mentality to try and call out corruption whenever there is any sign. If it was any other young batsman, who has shown potential at under 19 level and domestic level, people would say stuff like "don't write him off, he's young and can only improve" etc but of course cos he's related to Inzimam people will hate him. Poor kid.
