The young left-handed opening batsman, Imam ul Haq proved his mettle in the top order by scoring a magnificent century on debut, becoming only the second Pakistani to do so.
There were talks of him being selected in the team due to his relationship with the Chief Selector since he is the nephew of Inzamam ul Haq.
Social media keeps an eye on such controversies and when sports journalist Zainab Abbas pointed out his family ties with the chief selector of Pakistan, it led to a never-ending debate at the microblogging platform.
She tweeted about Imam’s debut match referring to him as ‘Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew‘.
Team News : Inzamam-ul-Haq's nephew Imam-ul-Haq likely to be making his debut today in place of Ahmad Shehzad. #pakvsl
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 18, 2017
There were enough people in favour of Imam and it backfired pretty quickly for Zainab.
Relation with selector should not be a disqualification , fair chance should be given
— Rao Khalid (@raokhaled) October 18, 2017
His class and talent was on display in the first match, for sure!
https://twitter.com/aleem_murtaza/status/920580612540588032
Those who follow cricket pointed out his journey to the international cricket.
Zainab ji yeh sath Nephew likhna zroori tha wo bnda under 19 sy team main khail raha or acha khail raha hai
— ғᴀɪᴢ ᴀʜᴍᴇᴅ ᴋᴀɴɢ (@Faizsays_) October 18, 2017
He has his own identity and people reminded her of that.
https://twitter.com/abdullahmajeed_/status/920580326501609472
And what a way to start an international career!
And what a debut !!! Hes proved the critics wrong big time!!! #ImamulHaq
— Sapphire (@lumnee) October 18, 2017
And again.
https://twitter.com/ppak148/status/920613785865420801
She didn’t think she would be regretting her tweet after the match!
Meray Khayal Se @InziTheLegend's Nephew Bar bar kehna sahi baat nahi after all Imam has its own identity…
— Malik Hassan (@MalikHassanAR) October 18, 2017
And it took one innings to change the perspective of people about his selection.
Ab Imam ul Haq ka gana gao you hypocrites. I told you that he is a good player. Who cares about selection criteria as long as u pick ry8 one
— Atiq-uz-Zaman (@Atiq160Test) October 18, 2017
He has definitely got everyone talking and if the speedster Shoaib says something about him, he must be special.
What a dream debut for Imam-ul-Haq . I really hope he gets to his maiden 100 on his debut..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 18, 2017
And the usual Twitter things.
Ahmad Shazad after watching Fakhar And Imam batting.#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/ieAHCNS7EQ
— S H A K I R. (@Shakir094) October 18, 2017
Former cricketers are all praise for the talented youngster.
There was a Massive pressure ….
well played Imam 👏🏻👏🏻 #PakVSL— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) October 18, 2017
It may be too early to say, but another ‘Ul-Haq’ in the making.
https://twitter.com/HashmeNabeel/status/920678235758841856
It must be tough for Ahmed Shahzad though!
Ahmed Shahzad waiting of Imam ul Haq in pavilion 😂😂😂#PakvsSL #PakvSL pic.twitter.com/XU5xP7GS85
— محترم وقاص امجد (@Waqas_amjad) October 18, 2017
Cricket analysts praised the chief selector for his genius moves.
Pakistan chief selector Inzamam picked youngsters Haris Sohail for Tests & Imam-ul-Haq for ODIs on merit & it paid off. Impressive #PAKvSL
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) October 18, 2017
Scoring a hundred on debut is a remarkable feat for a young cricketer. He is the third youngest player to score a ton on debut.
https://twitter.com/namaloomafraaad/status/920719104717320192
Imam took the advice of the Professor and stunned the critics.
Earlier today:
Hafeez to Imam: Go get a 100👊
Imam to Hafeez: You better be at the crease with me when I get there!
😍#ImamulHaq #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/UBCKTSYUN2— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) October 18, 2017
Players from other sports also admired his innings.
That’s it! Imam ul Haq gets the big maiden hundred on debut! 2nd Pakistani and 13th overall to do this. Prolific opening for the youngster!
— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) October 18, 2017
And then there were those who could relate this performance to their student life.
https://twitter.com/ikamranmalik/status/920717796585164800
Zainab may not have meant what the people perceived, but she definitely needs to choose her words wisely. It escalates very quickly on social media and she would know it by now.
Kisi Ki Chalti Howi Rozi Roti Pe Laaat Marna Koi Imam UL Haq Se Seekhe :
From :
Ahmed Shahzad (Self Press Confrence at Front of Mirror )
” Q Nikala Mujhe Q ” Main Phochna Chahta Ho Sarfaraz Bhai Mera Qasoor Kiya hai Q Nikala Mujhy ?
Ahmed Shahzad (Apne Ap Se Bat Karte Howy Roo Pare)…
The way they made fun of ahmad shehzad was really not ethical. Pakistan cricket history is full of such players who start their career with boom but later on they can’t keep up to the start.
I blame the politics in PCB.
i dont think imam ul haq deserved a chance, he is been playing in the first class for so long now, but he had only a couple of performances, Geo news program score hosted by yahya husaini highlighted that imam ul haq is far from being impressive, yet in the presence of Fawad Alam, the only pakistani batsmen who has proven again and again, still a top scorer in all formats been neglected, congrats on the century but remind you people that it is against srilanka which has lost their last 11 out of 11 match, lets wait and watch before calling him the legend already,
Why Fawad Alam? In both PSL editions he was not picked, we know its not nepotism their, since its private money at stake. And Fawad came into cricket as a T20 player.. if on his own he cannot make it to PSL then how and why you want him in National side.
Let us all hope.. only the best come forward be it Fawad or Imam..
Pakistan in ODIs since 1st Jan 2015.
In the presence of Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz:
Matches: 46
Won: 20
Lost: 25
NR: 1
Win%: 43%
In the absence of Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz:
Matches: 9
Won: 8
Lost: 1
Win%: 89%
What’s all the fuss about, if he’s proved himself by out performing the expectations.
so is he or is he not Inziman Jonsa’s Nephew?!! #Confused
Pagal log, us ne keh dia to kia hogay? yeah haqiat hai kay Inzi bhai ka Nephew hai. to such hai to Pakistanion ko kia takleef hai.
JO BHI Hai SHEZAD Se Performance Achi Di hai : Bus
You are right.