Imam-ul-Haq made a strong comeback to Test cricket with a fine innings against South Africa in Lahore on Sunday. The Pakistan opener looked confident and composed but missed his century by a small margin.
Imam carried his form from county cricket into the first Test. He played with great balance and timing, showing clear intent to score runs. His stroke play against the world champions’ bowlers was clean and controlled. It was a reminder of his class at the top of the order.
Earlier, Imam had a dream season with Yorkshire in the 2025 One Day Cup. He scored 688 runs in eight innings with a highest of 159. His average was 98.28 and his strike rate 97.45. That dominant run helped him regain confidence before returning to the national side.
Before this match, Imam last played a Test in December 2023 against Australia, where he scored 10 and 12. This innings showed how much he has improved since then.
Even though he missed a hundred, Imam’s performance in Lahore proved that he is back in top form and ready to shine again for Pakistan.
