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Will Imam-ul-Haq eventually overtake Babar Azam in ODIs?

Kohli The King of Chase

Kohli The King of Chase

Local Club Captain
Joined
Sep 14, 2017
Runs
2,572
I am not following cricket much. So, I don't know how they're playing. Not even highlights.

All that is available for me are stats atm.

Babar has been acting soft and showing no signs of improvement. Same 40s and occasional 60s.

It's been years seeing him score a century, against a top team, I reckon.

Imam, again due to not following matches, can't say as to how he's playing.

But, he's been atleast top scorer and showing signs of improvement, unlike Babar.

Top scorer for Pak in Asia Cup
Top scorer for Pak in South Africa, against SA
Top scorer for Pak in England, against Eng
 
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He is very good than so called Kohli of pakistan in odis.
But Iam sad that people criticize him.
 
He's already overtaken the softie. Not much of an accomplishment though.
 
What has the king of softy achieved so far? I dont rate him at all. The guy makes the most impactless 50/100s. I dont remember him winning a match so far.
 
Not a chance. Imam is one of those players who will play a good innings once in a blue moon and keep his place in the playing eleven.

I am sure he will be back to his usual self in the next match and will play a 23(41) innings.

I hope for Pakistan's sake he proves me wrong.
 
SecularPakistanii said:
Not a chance. Imam is one of those players who will play a good innings once in a blue moon and keep his place in the playing eleven.

I am sure he will be back to his usual self in the next match and will play a 23(41) innings.

I hope for Pakistan's sake he proves me wrong.
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If a player performs once in a blue moon how can they get a Man of the Series award in a country where most of our batsmen have struggled?
 
Chokli said:
If a player performs once in a blue moon how can they get a Man of the Series award in a country where most of our batsmen have struggled?
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I believe your are talking about South Africa series. Again, that is a completely different ballgame.

I remember him scoring 70 odd from 90 balls. That's acceptable in SA or UAE but not on these flat pitches and small grounds in ENG.

He scored 150 from 130 balls today. Which is a good innings, but his real test is how he does in the next 2 games. He was one of the biggest culprits as to why we lost the 2nd ODI. 35(44) is criminal on these pitches.
 
What people don't understand he open with FZ. FZ is hot or mis Kind of a player. His role is to safe his wicket and roted strike and give FZ most ball to face and carry game run a ball or 90-95 strike rate is acceptable. He's not rohit sharma or shikhar dhawan but will be over period of time.
 
Babar is much better player, our expectation are higher from him, for the right reason. He has been doing good although a big score is due on him.

This is Imam's first really good inning for sometime and we should not be carried away. He , no doubt , showed a great talent and character playing this inning, particularly improved his SR.
 
Imam played a great innings and has seemingly proven me wrong, no doubt. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Babar is currently far ahead, and he is the far more gifted and complete player, and we are absolutely right to have higher expectations from Babar.
 
Whatever people say, Imam seeems like a fighter and not scared of charging fast bowlers at times(he fails at times as well). BabAr is good but feel like he has been hyped a lot.. he will do well if left alone and not expect way too much from him. Anyways 50 and 60 run a ball are not bad either. I will never expect him to play a blinder like I never expected it from Laxman, younis Khan .
 
Imam is doing well .
But he can't match the class of babar and harris.
Babar harris are easily tye best batters
 
I made a prediction after the 1st match, that there are things you can learn and there are things which are inherent in your nature.

I see Imam being the 3rd best Pakistani batsmen soon after Yousaf and Inzi in ODI's.
 
Dr_Bassim said:
I made a prediction after the 1st match, that there are things you can learn and there are things which are inherent in your nature.

I see Imam being the 3rd best Pakistani batsmen soon after Yousaf and Inzi in ODI's.
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He has a very long way to go. He has shown some mental strength. But his lack of stroke play is a massive concern.
 
Will be extremely difficult.

Though, one notable thing that happened after this match was that there is a 10+ average gap between them now.

Imam Ul Haq 60.04
Babar Azam 49.8
 
Babars performances have dropped of a cliff in the last year or so in ODIs.

If we go purely on runs scored in the last 1-2 years then Imam is clearly more important to Pakistan right now.

But when it comes to potential Babar is pretty comfortably better than Imam.
 
SecularPakistanii said:
I believe your are talking about South Africa series. Again, that is a completely different ballgame.

I remember him scoring 70 odd from 90 balls. That's acceptable in SA or UAE but not on these flat pitches and small grounds in ENG.

He scored 150 from 130 balls today. Which is a good innings, but his real test is how he does in the next 2 games. He was one of the biggest culprits as to why we lost the 2nd ODI. 35(44) is criminal on these pitches.
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Do you even know how many matches he's played against the top teams?

Do you honestly expect him to match the top openers of other countries in the small amount of matches hes played?
 
You guys are too stuck up on averages, modern day cricket is more about strike rates. Imam bats too slow. Its going to cost us the world cup because you need to take advantage of fielding restrictions in the first 10 overs when the balls are new. It is hard to score big at the end because of so many fielders out. Need aggressive openers.
 
It’s funny fans didn’t pick holes on Fakhar Zaman’s century in the 2nd ODI, yet they are hell bent of hating Imam. Did Fakhar Zaman chase down England’s total in that match?

Alright, we get it, his team needs someone more aggressive than him. Who is going to take his place? Adam Gilchrist?

Get your head out of the sand. Pakistan is a team not known for producing too many quality batsman. You have a fine talent who can go a long way and yet you are unhappy because you want someone more aggressive? Who is that replacement going to be?
 
Both Imam and Babar have similarities and differences. The similarities include both being run a ball at best type batsmen. They don’t have that extra gear to speed up the innings and look for the odd bad ball to put away. But, one key difference between imam and Babar is that Imam is hungry for big runs. Whilst, Babar gives away his wicket after reaching a middling score.

Therefore, in my view Imam will definetly overtake Babar simply due to his hunger and desire for big runs.
 
Sher Khan said:
Both Imam and Babar have similarities and differences. The similarities include both being run a ball at best type batsmen. They don’t have that extra gear to speed up the innings and look for the odd bad ball to put away. But, one key difference between imam and Babar is that Imam is hungry for big runs. Whilst, Babar gives away his wicket after reaching a middling score.

Therefore, in my view Imam will definetly overtake Babar simply due to his hunger and desire for big runs.
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Imam scored his last 50 runs in 31 balls so Imam does have that gear.
 
Imam is showing signs of improving. Whilst Babar said he doesn't need power hitting. Babar deserves more critiscm for not stepping up. He isn't a young player anymore. We want to put him in the bracket of the fab 4 , as soon as they had to step up as the batting leaders they did. Babar hasn't. Instead we doing banghra over him scoring 50s in T20s.
 
I think most batsmen will look great on the wickets produced so far...
 
It's sad because I'm one of Babar's biggest fans but he can't compete at all with the mental strength of Imam. His temperament is what sets him apart from many Pakistani batsman, I believe Imam could be a great.
 
No.

Both class apart, strokeplay is different. Imam has yet to learn how to score fast in most matches.
 
No need for him to take over Babar.

he has already over taken Virat Kohli.

Imam Average - 60.04
Kohli Average - 59.58
 
Matches played together = 24
Imam = 66 @ 84 with 6 hundreds
Babar = 45 @ 83 with 1 hundred

Imam has comfortably outperformed Babar.
 
Imam played well in the 3rd ODI and is showing signs of improvement but the next two will be a real test as the series is on the line now.
 
CadPakFan said:
Imam played well in the 3rd ODI and is showing signs of improvement but the next two will be a real test as the series is on the line now.
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Imam has already proven what he is capable of, the other batsmen need to step up.
 
Babar has better technique and doesn’t get himself in a position where he’s uncomfortable. Definitely a better bat. That doesn’t mean he’ll go on to score more runs. Imam is educated and comes from a privileged background which is why he seems to have more self belief which honestly Babar lacks at times.
 
Imam has overtaken ALL batsmen including KOHLI... after 24 matches he's Averaging 60 KOHLI was averaging low 40s in the same timeframe at this rate D BRADMANS record is in danger.... we are looking at something extraordinary should be AVERAGING 80-85 after 50 matches then 95-100 after 100 matches DON record average is in danger and this is ODIs...only sky is the limit in tests. 🤝
 
If Babar opened the innings he would have done better than Imam. It is about caching in on those first 10 overs. When Fakhar scores big Pakistan comes close to winning or wins as his centuries change games. Babar is a good foil for him. People are too stuck on averages with Imam, he plays way too slow on flat fast decks.
 
I can't count how many times we have seen Pakistani batsmen, especially the likes of Imam score big runs, only for the opposition to make a mockery out of the total. You have to score fast, a 60 off 35 balls is better than a 100 off 100.
 
Either way, it’s good competition to have in the team as to who is the bigger MVP
 
Bonafide Hustler said:
I can't count how many times we have seen Pakistani batsmen, especially the likes of Imam score big runs, only for the opposition to make a mockery out of the total. You have to score fast, a 60 off 35 balls is better than a 100 off 100.
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Exactly. Compare his tame batting versus the way Roy and Bairstow were hitting out against our bowlers on that extremely flat pitch and small ground.
 
Hitman said:
It’s funny fans didn’t pick holes on Fakhar Zaman’s century in the 2nd ODI, yet they are hell bent of hating Imam. Did Fakhar Zaman chase down England’s total in that match?

Alright, we get it, his team needs someone more aggressive than him. Who is going to take his place? Adam Gilchrist?

Get your head out of the sand. Pakistan is a team not known for producing too many quality batsman. You have a fine talent who can go a long way and yet you are unhappy because you want someone more aggressive? Who is that replacement going to be?
Click to expand...

Fakhar did well he set up the chase can't do much when the other batsmen can't chase 9 an over in the last 5 overs.
Imams innings was different he was 100 off hundred balls only accelerating after his milestone it was too late the pitch was the flattest seen in recent times 100 of 100 wasn't quick enough it looked good at the time but the English batsmen made it look ordinary no batsman apart from Fakhar is doing enough to score quickly enough to win matches.
 
Cric1234 said:
Fakhar did well he set up the chase can't do much when the other batsmen can't chase 9 an over in the last 5 overs.
Imams innings was different he was 100 off hundred balls only accelerating after his milestone it was too late the pitch was the flattest seen in recent times 100 of 100 wasn't quick enough it looked good at the time but the English batsmen made it look ordinary no batsman apart from Fakhar is doing enough to score quickly enough to win matches.
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We wouldn't have reached 258 let alone 358 if it wasn't for Imam
 
SecularPakistanii said:
Exactly. Compare his tame batting versus the way Roy and Bairstow were hitting out against our bowlers on that extremely flat pitch and small ground.
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I see the same argument is being made against Rohit and Dhawan. To be fair England has such a deep batting line up that their openers can treat their wickets as bonus and go nuts in the power play. Other teams cannot afford to start with a collapse as it will slow down the rate even further. Fakar complements his very well. Just one of them has to tee off. No need both of them to tee off.
 
Not not yet. I get the feeling Babar is gonna have a big world cup.
We need our top 4 fit and firing
 
Statistically he has. But Babar is much pleasing on the eye. The difference at the moment is that Babar can’t convert his starts or gets out cheaply whilst Imam grinds out the runs.
 
The thing with Imam is that he's got a higher ceiling as far upgrading the batting is concerned. I saw him in the 2012 Under 19 World Cup, I saw him bat in QAE Trophy final and I saw him debuting for Pakistan. I saw a level of progression in his batting that i don't see in Babar. This does not mean Imam is better than Babar or vice versa. Its just my observation.
 
No.

Scoring at an 80 odd strike rate while Babar has upped his strike rate to 90-100+ now. This is not to say that Imam is a mediocre batsman. I used to think he was just a slightly superior Shehzad choose because of nepotism, the latter was correct, luckily for Inzi and his nephew, he actually is hungry for runs, and looks amazing for our standards.

It's amusing that now Imam is out performing Babar a little lately and the fickle fans are making their presence known.

Form is temporary but class is permanent.
 
CricFan2012 said:
No.

Scoring at an 80 odd strike rate while Babar has upped his strike rate to 90-100+ now. This is not to say that Imam is a mediocre batsman. I used to think he was just a slightly superior Shehzad choose because of nepotism, the latter was correct, luckily for Inzi and his nephew, he actually is hungry for runs, and looks amazing for our standards.

It's amusing that now Imam is out performing Babar a little lately and the fickle fans are making their presence known.

Form is temporary but class is permanent.
Click to expand...

What form are you talking about?
The guy has one century against aus and that's pretty much it
 
both have that hunger to make runs, that is the most positive thing.

I like Imam's attitude, he seems to thrive on adversity.

would keep an eye on him as a future captain of the side, that chip on his shoulder seems to work well for him.

he may play better inns than Babar, but Babar will certainly make more runs.
 
Babar's game plan of "secure one end" has put breaks on his skills improvement. On the other hand, Imam is improving his game every match day. He is improving his strike rate. Developed a few more shots in the process, shown improvement on short balls as well.
I think we have already seen the peak of Babar, however Imam will improve further.
 
aqeelPK said:
Babar's game plan of "secure one end" has put breaks on his skills improvement. On the other hand, Imam is improving his game every match day. He is improving his strike rate. Developed a few more shots in the process, shown improvement on short balls as well.
I think we have already seen the peak of Babar, however Imam will improve further.
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Broadly agree that Imam is trying to improve whereas babar is not yet making the jump to next level. I do however, think his opening in t20's has lead to an improvement in strike rates.
 
Babar will go down as the best ODI batsman Pakistan has ever produced, possibly even top 5 amongst Asians.
 
This stuff is irrelevant to be honest. Both play for Pakistan. Why do we always need to have battle between 2 of our players ?
 
aqeelPK said:
Babar's game plan of "secure one end" has put breaks on his skills improvement. On the other hand, Imam is improving his game every match day. He is improving his strike rate. Developed a few more shots in the process, shown improvement on short balls as well.
I think we have already seen the peak of Babar, however Imam will improve further.
Click to expand...

disagree, Babar has become a lot more attacking since the confidence he gained on the SA tour, he is playing much more freely than before in ODIs now.

Imam's improvement can be put down to success in PSL, has really developed some release shots especially down the ground.
 
Thread starter and those putting Imam ahead can't be taken seriously.

Move on, nothing to see here.
 
AZ said:
Babar will go down as the best ODI batsman Pakistan has ever produced, possibly even top 5 amongst Asians.
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I doubt, he needs to develop some power hitting towards the slog overs.
 
Hawkeye said:
Thread starter and those putting Imam ahead can't be taken seriously.

Move on, nothing to see here.
Click to expand...

Lol. One of them has 6 ODI centuries in 28 innings, the other has 9 in 62 innings, 4 of which were against WI before their resurgence, 2 against toothless Sri Lanka and 1 against Zimbabwe. His only 2 centuries against big teams were ridiculously selfish. I understand why people rate Azam ahead of Imam, but people need to stop being so ignorant and realize that Azam really isn't heads and shoulders above Imam.
 
SecularPakistanii said:
Thank you. Imam really has some seriously delusional fans.
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The only delusion is in the eyes of you haters.

If you changed Imam Ul Haq's name to any one of PPs darlings he would have been hyped to the moon and back.

:))

Secular Pakistan da lagda. :))
 
He is a reincarnation of Misbah. A proper match loser. As long as Imam is on the crease, the opposition is on the front seat.
 
Abhi to party shuru Hui hai. This parchee is going to play every WC game
We have lots of time to make fun of his delusional fans 😂😂😂
 
Guys its ok don't be too harsh on him, he is automatic selection with 58 average.
 
SecularPakistanii said:
Abhi to party shuru Hui hai. This parchee is going to play every WC game
We have lots of time to make fun of his delusional fans ������
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All 11 players failed.

Well 10 because Amir did his job.

And you single out Imam.

Clearly the bias is dripping from you.
 
Syed1 said:
Guys its ok don't be too harsh on him, he is automatic selection with 58 average.
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Haan off course.

Baki 10 batsmen tow century maar kar nikly.

Sirf Imam 2 runs 11 balls bna kar out hogaya.

Right man.

Any other biases?

Sarfraz is a brilliant captain and led from the front today??
 
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