Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq’s return to international one-day cricket did not go as planned, as the left-hander struggled with the bat against India’s on-song bowling attack. Drafted straight into the playing XI in place of the injured Fakhar Zaman, Imam failed to get anything going during his brief stay at the crease. After a largely uninspired 25-ball stay, he attempted a risky single to mid-on, which proved to be his undoing as Axar Patel darted a throw at the danger end to catch him short of his ground.
It was the mode of dismissal that caught everyone’s eye. Interestingly, this was the sixth time Imam has been run out in an ODI, the most for any Pakistan batter since his debut in 2017. His latest run-out during Pakistan’s crucial Champions Trophy clash once again exposed his vulnerability when it comes to quick singles and communication with partners. His dismissals in this manner have often put additional pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup, disrupting momentum at key moments.
While Imam is known for his ability to build innings, his running between the wickets has been a recurring weakness. Whether due to hesitation, misjudgment, or a lack of coordination with his batting partners, the frequency of these run-outs has become a major talking point. Zimbabwe has dismissed him twice in this manner, while Afghanistan, Nepal, and the West Indies have also run him out once each before India did the same today.
Ironically, Imam is the nephew of the great Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was also notorious for getting run out.
While his wicket was unfortunate, Pakistan has still held its own against India so far. With Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel rebuilding the innings, there is still hope that the Green Shirts can set a challenging total for Rohit Sharma’s side. Whether or not Imam-ul-Haq’s early departure against India plays a role in the final outcome remains to be seen.