Somerset sign-up Imam-ul-Haq for the last 4 games of the County Championship (2022)

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
217,752
Somerset County Cricket Club can today announce that we have signed Imam Ul Haq for the final four LV= Insurance County Championship matches of the season.

Subject to obtaining the necessary NOC and visa, the Pakistan Test opening batter will join as an overseas player, replacing Matt Renshaw who will return to Australia at the end of August to commence his domestic pre-season training with his State side Queensland.

The 26-year-old has featured in 14 Tests for Pakistan, with a best of 157 against Australia earlier this year.

His First Class record is equally impressive. In 57 matches, the left-hander has amassed over 3500 runs at an average of 41.69 with a top score of 202 not out.

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry is delighted to have secured the services of such a talented player. “Imam Ul Haq is an outstanding batter who will bring quality and a wealth of experience to our environment,” he said. “To be able to bring in an established Test match player for the final LV= Insurance County Championship matches of the season is a coup for us with so much international cricket being played during this important period.

“We have a long-standing working relationship with the PCB and we are grateful to them for their assistance in helping us to sign a player of this calibre. We are genuinely excited about what he will add to the Club both on and off the field.”

Imam Ul Haq is looking forward to joining up with the Club later this year. “I have heard a lot about the quality of Somerset from Babar Azam and Azhar Ali. It is a club with a good reputation and great support. I look forward to representing the county and contributing to some good wins in the County Championship.

“English County Cricket will be a new challenge for me, but it is a challenge that I am relishing.”

https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/first-xi/somerset-sign-imam-ul-haq/
 
Last edited:
Counties seem to be very keen to get overseas players this season even for short stints.
 
Good signing and for Somerset and opportunity for Imam to improve his game for such conditions.

Fascinating to see so many Pakistani players in country season this year, English structure is possibly trying to make the red ball competition as competitive as it used to be sometime ago with decent overseas signings.
 
The good thing is the number of Pakistani players who have managed to get county stints this year even if they've been cut short.

Naseem was quite unlucky as he needed some FC games under his belt.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55358;&#56605; &#55349;&#56796; &#55349;&#56800; &#55349;&#56788; &#55349;&#56800; &#55358;&#56605;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ImamUlHaq12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImamUlHaq12</a> <a href="https://t.co/dCwOYf3iVR">pic.twitter.com/dCwOYf3iVR</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1543988617248399361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Somerset County Cricket Club <a href="https://twitter.com/ImamUlHaq12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImamUlHaq12</a>! &#55358;&#56605;&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/ehpsHbJu1a">pic.twitter.com/ehpsHbJu1a</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1564969145514459136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Have a feeling this won't do his brand 'parchi' any good because he won't score much.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55356;&#57253; Can't wait to see you in action for Somerset <a href="https://twitter.com/ImamUlHaq12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImamUlHaq12</a>! &#55357;&#56394;&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HigosInsurance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HigosInsurance</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WPAinsurance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WPAinsurance</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KukriSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KukriSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/TGZwdShRdm">pic.twitter.com/TGZwdShRdm</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1564998270392360960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/ItGwdrTLfe">pic.twitter.com/ItGwdrTLfe</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1566710190153547778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Imam currently batting on 13*

3FmtKwT.png
 
Excellent debut so far.

Currently 71 not out.
 
Excellent debut so far.

Currently 71 not out.

On his way to a 100 on debut!

81*

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I M A M &#55358;&#56617;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZZljyrA5pJ">pic.twitter.com/ZZljyrA5pJ</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1567166713233395713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An excellent start for Imam-ul-Haq at Somerset as he makes 90 against Gloucestershire in the County Championship <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/e3wUdex3A0">pic.twitter.com/e3wUdex3A0</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1567183132054405120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I was very impressed with James Rew and I was talking in the lunch and tea intervals with him about the way he was batting. There are still six sessions to play"<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOMvGLO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOMvGLO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ItsTradeNation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ItsTradeNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/oQixOP3I8Y">pic.twitter.com/oQixOP3I8Y</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1567221244222652417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
A season of county cricket would do wonders for our young batsman. Just the levels of professionalism and expectations would help them to improve.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#56613; 90 runs<br>&#55357;&#56628; 162 balls<br>&#55356;&#57263; 12 fours <a href="https://twitter.com/ImamUlHaq12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImamUlHaq12</a> enjoyed his first outing in <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SomersetCCC</a> colours &#55357;&#56845;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LVCountyChamp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LVCountyChamp</a> <a href="https://t.co/P3IrsinvqI">pic.twitter.com/P3IrsinvqI</a></p>— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/CountyChamp/status/1567212978562269187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Out for 5 today.

Dismissed by Mohammad Siraj.
 
Not his best shot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Siraj gets Imam-ul-Haq! 😍<br><br>Big wicket.<br><br>Match Centre 🖥 <a href="https://t.co/7qmT8n1G3L">https://t.co/7qmT8n1G3L</a><br><br>🐻<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouBears</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WARvSOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WARvSOM</a> <a href="https://t.co/QDdM5uGxmb">pic.twitter.com/QDdM5uGxmb</a></p>— Warwickshire CCC 🏏 (@WarwickshireCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WarwickshireCCC/status/1569268772300795904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Not his best shot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Siraj gets Imam-ul-Haq! &#55357;&#56845;<br><br>Big wicket.<br><br>Match Centre &#55357;&#56741; <a href="https://t.co/7qmT8n1G3L">https://t.co/7qmT8n1G3L</a><br><br>&#55357;&#56379;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouBears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouBears</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WARvSOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WARvSOM</a> <a href="https://t.co/QDdM5uGxmb">pic.twitter.com/QDdM5uGxmb</a></p>— Warwickshire CCC &#55356;&#57295; (@WarwickshireCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WarwickshireCCC/status/1569268772300795904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And again....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The perfect start for Warwickshire as Mohammed Siraj removes Imam-ul-Haq in the second over of the innings.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LVCountyChamp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LVCountyChamp</a> <a href="https://t.co/bFVDX5go5S">pic.twitter.com/bFVDX5go5S</a></p>— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/CountyChamp/status/1569740103681019908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
2 very ordinary shots by Imam.

Both times it's Siraj who gets him.
 
And Imam is a walking wicket against quality bowling. Some short stuff makes him reluctant to come on the front foot and opens up the slips for the standing waft. Or go around like the Netherlands bowler was doing in the odi series and aim for an lbw.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A lovely moment as <a href="https://twitter.com/ImamUlHaq12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImamUlHaq12</a> was awarded his Somerset cap &#55356;&#57295;&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/uVEfn4W7Z6">pic.twitter.com/uVEfn4W7Z6</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1571100400815841286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
13* so far Imam against Northants

Now 23*

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55358;&#56617;&#55358;&#56617;&#55358;&#56617; I M A M &#55358;&#56617;&#55358;&#56617;&#55358;&#56617;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/QiDAke9drh">pic.twitter.com/QiDAke9drh</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1572178272519327746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
And out for 25

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">24.4 | Edged and gone! &#55357;&#56908;<br><br>Jack White you have absolutely deserved that.<br><br>Somerset 49/1.<br><br>Watch live &#55357;&#56393; <a href="https://t.co/CU8uwtfknL">https://t.co/CU8uwtfknL</a> <a href="https://t.co/96zWyAHDIX">pic.twitter.com/96zWyAHDIX</a></p>— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NorthantsCCC/status/1572182171770843136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Imam is heading back to Pakistan as his father has suffered a heart attack
 
Imam is heading back to Pakistan as his father has suffered a heart attack

More details

==

Imam-ul-Haq will return to Pakistan ahead of the forthcoming LV= Insurance County Championship match against Kent for personal reasons.

Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry explains: “Imam will return home immediately to be with his family in Pakistan. This means that he won’t be available for selection for our final fixture at Canterbury, starting on Monday

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Imam for all his contributions both on and off the field since joining the Club. On behalf of all the players, staff and followers of Somerset County Cricket Club, we send our thoughts and support to Imam and his family at this time.
 
Back
Top