Imam-ul-Haq was a late addition to the Peshawar Zalmi squad for the 2019 Pakistan Super League. The opening batsman showed his worth in just his second outing for the franchise with a fluent half-century against Karachi Kings.
The Pakistan batsman has made a fine start to his ODI career but doubts over his T20 prowess means he is yet to make his debut in the format for his country.
Imam’s innings on Thursday at Sharjah will go some way in dispelling those doubts with the opener carving a superb 43-ball 56. Here, we take a closer look at his display against Karachi Kings.
STATISTICS
RUNS: 56
BALLS FACED: 43
BOUNDARIES: 5
SIXES: 1
STRIKE-RATE: 130.23
30-SECOND REPORT
Opening the batting for Peshawar Zalmi, Imam-ul-Haq started off cautiously in the powerplay before putting his foot on the gas. Wickets kept falling at the other end but Imam powered on, playing some delightful strokes en route to a 38-ball half-century.
The southpaw was involved in a 76-run stand for the fifth wicket along with Liam Dawson which helped Peshawar recover from a poor start. Imam’s stay was ultimately ended by Usman Shinwari in the 18th over as the opener fell in the pursuit of quick runs.
GOT RIGHT
Paced his innings excellently. The 23-year-old was watchful at the start with the Karachi Kings pacers getting the new-ball to swing but settled down once he familiarised himself with the pitch.
He picked his moments to cleverly, using his feet and excellent timing to good effect for sumptuous boundaries down the ground.
SIX! Short from Yamin and Imam-ul-Haq dispatches it into the stands with ease. Peshawar Zalmi are 13/1 in the 3rd over now
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 21, 2019
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details 👉 https://t.co/R1IESXmCAE #PZvKK #PSL2019 #KhelDeewanoKa #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/zaARXUaRnb
GOT WRONG
As the settled batsman, it was Imam’s job to see the team through but he was dismissed just when Peshawar needed to push on. The manner of his dismissal did him no favours either with Imam taking a wild swing across the line after backing away too far down the leg-side. No surprise then than Shinwari’s fuller delivery shattered the stumps.
VERDICT – 8/10
After being dismissed for just one on his PSL debut for Peshawar, Imam did well to bounce back with a well-crafted half-century against a formidable bowling attack.
Though he would have liked to stay on until the end, Imam’s innings helped Zalmi overcome a poor start which saw Kamran Akmal, Wayne Madsen and Kieron Pollard fall for ducks. Under the circumstances, it was as good an innings as any for Imam and he could prove to be an excellent late addition to the side should he keep up this form.
