Tag: Imam Ul Haq

KARACHI: Pakistan Television (PTV) opener Imam-ul-Haq scores a gutsy century against Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) in the ongoing President Trophy Grade-I on Thursday here at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex.

Imam, recently named in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman, played a marathon innings on the second day of the match.

For the unversed, Fakhar sustained an injury in the first over of New Zealand’s innings in Karachi yesterday when he fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

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Despite the discomfort, Fakhar still came out to bat in Pakistan’s chase of 321 runs. However, he looked far from his usual fluent self, managing a scratchy 24 before getting dismissed.

Earlier today, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Fakhar Zaman could no longer participate in the Champions Trophy and named Imam-ul-Haq his replacement.

Imam’s marathon innings 158, which included 18 fours, helped PTV get close to the OGDCL first innings score of 278 runs in the President Trophy eighth round.

With the help of I-mam-ul-Haq’s resilient knock, PTV scored 273 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

For OGDCL,  Mushtaq Ahmed was the standout bowler, taking a five-wicket haul.

In another match, fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Ubaid Shah starred for Ghani Glass against State Bank of Pakistan, taking six and four wickets in the second innings, respectively.

The former and latter took eight and nine wickets to lift their team to a good position in the match.

Ghani Glass posted 103 for 3 in their second innings, still trailing by 49 runs. The State Bank of Pakistan team was bundled out on 123 in their second innings.

READ: Rohit Sharma achieves major ODI milestone in Champions Trophy

Left-handed opening batter Imam-ul-Haq has replaced injured opener Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India.

Fakhar was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after he sustained an injury during Pakistan’s group-stage clash against New Zealand in Karachi yesterday.

The injury occurred in the very first over of New Zealand’s innings when Fakhar fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

Imam-ul-Haq, who recently represented Pakistan Shaheens in the Champions Trophy warm-up match against South Africa, was later confirmed to replace Fakhar in the squad.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad” the PCB stated in a media release.

“Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury.

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“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.”

Imam played his last of 72 ODIs against South Africa during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. He has scored 3,138 runs at an impressive average of 48.27, featuring nine centuries and 20 half-centuries.

Meanwhile, his last international match was the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2023 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The defending champions and hosts Pakistan began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.

They will now travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Virat Kohli set to break another Sachin Tendulkar record

Pakistan top-order batter Imam-ul-Haq has reacted after not being included in the national team’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to begin on 19 February.

The name of Imam was being discussed in the media as a potential inclusion to Pakistan’s squad following the ankle injury of young opening batter Saim Ayub during the tour of South Africa.

However, the selectors chose to include Fakhar Zaman as the sole specialist opener in the Champions Trophy squad. Fakhar will be joined by either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, who are middle-order batters, at the top of the batting order.

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After the squad announcement, Imam-ul-Haq took to his official Instagram account to express his disappointment, hoping that his journey is not over and that he will continue to work hard.

“Not the outcome I expected, but the journey isn’t over. This is how life is—it’s all about growth and getting stronger with every hurdle. Patience and trust in Allah is the key!” he wrote.

 

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Imam played his last of 72 ODIs against South Africa during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. He has scored 3,138 runs at an impressive average of 48.27, featuring nine centuries and 20 half-centuries.

Meanwhile, his last international match was the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2023 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Pakistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)(c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf.

READ: Ricky Ponting, Ravi Shastri predict Champions Trophy 2025 finalists

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Imam-ul-Haq as the captain of the 14-member Pakistan Shaheens squad to face the touring West Indies Test team.

The two teams will square off in a three-day warm-up match at the Islamabad Club in Islamabad from 10-12 January.

West Indies Test squad will arrive in Islamabad on Monday, 6 January while Pakistan Shaheens squad will assemble on the same day.

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Shaheens will begin their training at the Islamabad Club on 7 January while West Indies will undergo two training sessions on 8 and 9 January.

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and West Indies is set to begin from 17 January in Multan as both the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures will be played at the same venue.

Pakistan Shaheens’ squad: Imam-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Bashir, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Ali Zaryab, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Suleman, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir, and Saad Khan

West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican.

READ: Shoaib Malik bids farewell to Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 10 draft

RAWALPINDI: Lions’ captain Imam-ul-Haq scored a quick-fire half-century to steer his team to an eight-run win over Panthers in the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The Panthers, set a target of 161 runs to win, finished with a score of 152-6 in their allotted overs after they failed to score 16 runs in the final over of Shahid Aziz.

Danish Aziz scored an unbeaten 38 off 27 balls with five boundaries, while opening batter Umar Siddiq scored a 28-ball 38, hitting one six and four boundaries.

Sajid Khan struck two sixes in his eight-ball 17 while Amad Butt scored an unbeaten 13-ball 16 but those were not enough.

For the Lions, spinner Sharoon Siraj bagged three wickets for 19.

The victory propelled Lions to second position in the Champions T20 Cup points table with eight points from seven matches. Markhors are at the top of the table with 10 points while Stallions are third with eight points.

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Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Panthers in fourth with six points while Engro Dolphins are pointless with six defeats in as many matches.

Sent into bat, Lions had a solid start with Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz putting 85 in 7.2 overs.

Imam cracked eight boundaries and a six in his 36-ball 57 while Hasan’s 22-ball 41 was spiced with three sixes and four boundaries. But once Nawaz fell to spinner Sajid Khan the innings fell apart.

Lions slumped from 110-1 to 160 all out with four balls of the stipulated 20 overs remaining unused.

Shahzaib Khan (16) and Khushdil Shah (13) were the other batters to cross the double figures.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir returned with figures of 4-23 in his four overs while pacer Mohammad Wasim Jnr took 2-22.

READ: PCB Chairman reviews Champions Trophy arrangements at Gaddafi Stadium

RAWALPINDI: Fast bowler Shahid Aziz took four wickets while skipper Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz played solid knocks to lead Lions to an eight-wicket win over Panthers in the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest 124-run target, the Lions crossed the line in 14.3 overs for the loss of two wickets after they were set up by Shahid’s potent 4-20 which restricted the Panthers to 123 all out in 19.2 overs.

Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz set up the win with a confident 79-run opening stand in 9.1 overs. Hasan hit three sixes and four boundaries in his fiery 31-ball 44 while Imam’s 38-ball 45 had five hits to the rope.

Pakistan U19 batter Shahzaib Khan chipped in with a 17-ball 28 not out, cracking two sixes and a four.

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With the win, the Lions opened their account in the Champions T20 Cup after losing their first two games. Panthers have now lost two and won one in their three outings.

Sent into bat, Panthers lost opener Sharjeel Khan for five before Umar Siddiq, who scored a 28-ball 26 with two sixes and as many fours, added 45 for the second wicket with Haider Ali (26).

Shahid Aziz, Khushdil Shah (2-26) and Musa Khan (2-32) triggered a middle-order collapse which saw Panthers slumping from 62-1 to 99-6.

It was Danish Aziz who rescued Panthers to a respectable total with a solid 27-ball 34 which were studded with four boundaries and a six.

READ: Shaheen Afridi becomes first Pakistan player to achieve THIS feat

Pakistan opening batter Imam-ul Haq threw his weight behind under-fire batter Babar Azam who failed to impress during the recently concluded tour of Australia.

The Green Shirts suffered a humiliating whitewash in the three-match T20I series against Australia and Babar managed a meagre 47 runs in the series at an average of 15.66 and strike-rate of 142.42.

During the second T20I match, the star batter found himself at the centre of a chaotic scene as fans voiced their discontent while he fielded near the boundary.

A video capturing the incident quickly went viral, showing a group of animated spectators hurling a series of taunts in his direction.

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“Have some shame! You don’t even deserve a spot in the T20 team. Go back to Lahore,” the crowd chanted.

The incident did not sit well with many former cricketers, including Imam-ul-Haq. He took to his social media and extended his support to Babar Azam.

Imam shared a video of the incident on social media with a caption that read, “As a nation, we have failed. Instead of supporting, we mock. Babar, you are still a champion.”

Imam-ul-Haq, a player who has frequently endured the harsh reactions of the crowd, urged the nation to show respect for all athletes. He emphasized that instead of ridiculing them, it is essential to recognize their hard work and dedication to the sport.

READ: India pull out of Blind T20 Cricket World Cup in Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood on Tuesday, broke silence on left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq’s future in Test cricket.

Imam, who was a regular part of Pakistan’s Test side since their tour to Australia in late 2023, was left out of the Pakistan squad for the two-match home series against Bangladesh, starting Wednesday.

The left-handed opener was replaced by batting prodigy Saim Ayub with another youngster Mohammad Huraira another contender for the opening slot.

Meanwhile, Shan Masood, while addressing the pre-series press conference here emphasized Imam-ul-Haq being still part of the team’s plans and also that the opener was “rested” for the Bangladesh series.

“Imam-ul-Haq is part of the plan but not part of the squad,” Shan Masood responded to a question about the squad selection.

“Imam-ul-Haq has been rested for the Bangladesh series.”

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Shan Masood further responded to queries regarding Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh which included Saim Ayub over Huraira and Mohammad Ali over Mir Hamza.

He insisted that it can not be said if one bowler is better than the other but that the decisions were made considering the conditions.

“Mohammad Huraira has been scoring runs in domestic cricket for the past three or four years,” he said.

“We chose Mohammad Ali because of the surprise element we witnessed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL),” the left-handed batter said.

“Saim played well in the second innings of the Sydney Test. He seems to be in good form and should be given consistent opportunities.”

Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Bangladesh Test: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali.

READ: Umar Amin aims to emulate Fawad Alam’s international return

LAHORE: Pakistan dropped opening batter Imam-ul-Haq from their 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting from 21 August.

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) men’s national selection committee announced the squad on Wednesday for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures.

The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August, while the second Test will be held from 30 August-3 September in Karachi.

Meanwhile, the home team’s training camp will commence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 August and will be supervised by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.

The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in the wee hours of 17 August and is expected to train in the same afternoon.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test team, while left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been appointed as the new vice-captain of Pakistan’s red-ball team.

Saud takes over from Shaheen Shah Afridi as part of the selectors’ strategic decision that is aimed at managing Pakistan’s lead fast bowler’s workload management during a busy season.

It’s worth noting that the Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is and, at least, 17 ODIs during the period from 21 August 2024 to 5 April 2025.

Pakistan’s 17-member Test squad for Bangladesh series features 13 players, who were involved in the last series against Australia in December/January 2023-24.

Uncapped Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam as well as Test player Mohammad Ali have been rewarded for their consistent performances in the domestic circuit as well as for Pakistan Shaheens.

Meanwhile, pace sensation Naseem Shah is returning to the red-ball side after a 13-month hiatus.

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Kamran Ghulam aggregated 1,025 runs in 11 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season and then scored 148 runs in three innings against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month, including 100 not out in the first match.

He was part of the squad for the home series against New Zealand in December/January 2022-23 but didn’t feature in the drawn two-match series.

Fast bowler Mohammad Ali has been recalled after last featuring in the opening two Tests against England in 2022.

He took 24 wickets in six first-class matches in the 2022-23 season, followed by 47 wickets in 14 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season.

In the two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin, Ali took nine wickets, including six for 63 in the second innings of the second match.

Meanwhile, Huraira stroked a sparkling double-century against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month. He also had a stellar last couple of first-class seasons.

In the 2022-23 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Huraira was the only batter to break the 1,000-run barrier, aggregating 1,024 runs in 11 matches for Northern.

In the 2023-24 first-class season, the 22-year-old right-hander scored 961 runs in 14 matches for the Faisalabad Region and Higher Education Commission (HEC).

He was part of the squad for the tour to Sri Lanka in July 2023 but didn’t feature in the series, which Pakistan won by 2-0.

Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali (injured), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr (injured), Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were the players who failed to retain their places in the Test side.

Imam-ul-Haq managed 57 runs in two Tests against Sri Lanka and then scored 94 runs in the Perth and Melbourne Tests, Faheem took one wicket in the Perth Test, Sajid claimed three wickets in the Sydney Test, while Nawaz and Noman didn’t play in any of the Tests.

Pakistan squad for Test series against Bangladesh

Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi

READ: Azhar Ali backs Arshad Nadeem ahead of Javelin Throw Final

Pakistan’s top-order batter Imam-ul-Haq named current white-ball captain and ace batter Babar Azam in his all-time Pakistan’s ODI XI.

Speaking at a private TV show, the left-handed opener shared his opinion on what should be Pakistan’s all-time ODI XI which features star all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the 12th man.

He named several legendary players in the lineup and picked Babar to open alongside Saeed Anwar.

“Since it was very difficult for me to set [him] in the middle order. So, I went for Babar Azam as the opener,” said Imam-ul-Haq.

“The way he has performed in ODI cricket for the last seven years so his performances for Pakistan are very good,” he added.

The middle-order of Imam-ul-Haq’s all-time Pakistan ODI XI features legendary batters Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf while he backed World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan to lead the team.

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Imam opted to go with Kamran Akmal as the specialist wicketkeeper batter, prioritizing the latter over the likes of Moin Khan, Rashid Latif and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

He backed his decision by emphasizing Akmal’s several match-winning performances in the format.

“I’ll go with Kamran Akmal as the wicketkeeper-batsman. It was a bit tricky for me. There were a lot of options like Moin bhai and Saifi bhai but I’ll go with Kamran Akmal because he has a lot of match-winning performances in ODIs,” Imam explained.

The bowling lineup of Imam-ul-Haq’s all-time Pakistan ODI XI included spin maestro Saqlain Mushtaq while Mohammad Asif was selected with the legendary duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

Imam-ul-Haq’s all-time Pakistan ODI XI: Saeed Anwar, Babar Azam, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Imran Khan (c), Kamran Akmal (wk), Saqlain Mushtaq, Mohammad Asif, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram.

READ: Shahid Afridi lambasts Babar Azam’s captaincy in T20 World Cup 2024