Imam-ul-Haq left a strong mark on the One Day Cup group stage with a fine run of big scores for Yorkshire. The Pakistan opener, who joined as a late replacement, signed off the first round with a fluent fifty in the last game after a series of good knocks.
On Tuesday, Imam made 70 off 73 balls against Kent at the Spitfire Ground. He hit eight fours and gave Yorkshire a solid start with Adam Lyth. James Wharton later struck a brisk 118, as the side posted 301 for nine. Yorkshire ended the stage on top of Group B with six wins from seven matches.
Imam finished the round with 583 runs in seven innings. He averaged 97.16, with three hundreds and three fifties. His form gave Yorkshire both stability and momentum in the middle of the tournament.
He began with 55 in his first outing, before hitting his List A career-best 159 against Warwickshire. He then made 117 to sink Lancashire. After a short dip, he struck another hundred, scoring 106 off 108 balls against Sussex. His knock of 70 against Kent rounded off a consistent group stage.
Imam came in as a replacement for India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, but soon became the mainstay of Yorkshire’s batting. The club had signed him for five County Championship games and eight One Day Cup matches. His stay is now expected to extend into the knockouts.
The timing of Imam’s success is notable for Pakistan. The national side has struggled in one-day cricket this year. They recently lost a series to West Indies for the first time in 34 years and have only two wins in 11 ODIs in 2025.
Imam last played for Pakistan in April against New Zealand. He was not picked for the West Indies tour, but he still owns 3,152 runs from 75 ODIs at an average of 47.04. His form in England may push him back into the national plans soon.