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Imam-ul-Haq replaces Misbah, hits back at critics by scoring century on Pakistan Cup debut

Imam-ul-Haq at the 2014 U19 World Cup, the level he has already mastered

Islamabad were knocked out of the 2016 Pakistan Cup on Thursday after their defeat to Baluchistan, but there was a fine script written on the day about one of their batsmen - the 20-year-old Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of Inzamam-ul-Haq, who scored his very first century at the senior level.

Imam’s century, a 126-ball 102 at the top of the order, came against the grain of events at Pakistan’s annual domestic 50-over tournament – his team, Islamabad, finished the league stages of the competition at bottom place, with 2 points from 4 matches. It also came against a barrage of accusations thrown at the way in which he was included in the team in the first place.

Imam was not included in the Islamabad squad as the competition got underway, and the team was captained by Misbah-ul-Haq. On Wednesday, an announcement was made that took many fans aback – Misbah would be leaving the side to perform Umrah  at Jeddah, and his replacement in the side, also as captain (as reported by some sources), would be the 20-year-old Imam.

Imam had never played at the Pakistan Cup before, and him being promoted so suddenly incited some adverse reactions. It was said that only because of his relation to Pakistan’s Chief Selector was he included in the side and also made captain. It was also said that Imam’s name was not even in the players’ draft before the tournament. Some alleged nepotism, some alleged that it was a farce.

However, as is usual these days, it soon came out that some publications had jumped the gun in reporting some details. It emerged that Imam's name had been present in the players’ draft and so was eligible to be picked, and that he was not in the side as captain after all. Kamran Akmal would be leading Islamabad.

Imam combined with his captain Kamran to put up a 197-run partnership on Thursday, which would eventually turn out to be not enough. The 197-run stand is the highest partnership at this year’s edition of the Pakistan Cup till now. It was broken in the 41st over by Bilawal Bhatti, with Imam’s stumps also being broken in the process.

However, It had been a marvellous debut in the Pakistan Cup already. Imam’s 102 was his highest score at the senior level and his only century. His knock included 10 fours, and was a sensible innings that had been the need of the hour.

There is still divided opinion on if it was right that Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew was drafted into a team’s playing XI in place of a player as reputed as Misbah, but the youngster has surely made a good start in shutting his critics up.

His reputation at the U19 level is also one that has few peers. He has played in two U19 World Cups. Only 18 players have scored 1000 runs at the level, and he is one of them. He had a commendable domestic season at the senior level in 2015 as well, and it might not be long before he represents the senior national team too.

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