Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq registered his sixth consecutive ODI half-century, on Friday in the 2nd ODI versus West Indies, in Multan. However, he couldn’t convert it into a three-figure score as a mixup with skipper Babar Azam saw him being run-out for run-a-ball innings of 72.
The big partnership had yielded 120 runs and both batters looked set for their respective centuries, but for the run-out; Babar also got out soon after Imam for 77.
Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam Involved In Mix-Up
On the second ball of the 28th over, bowled by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, Imam stepped forward and tapped the ball towards long-on and set off for a quick run despite knowing that there was a mid-wicket fielder in the ring, Nicholas Pooran, who dove agilely, picked up the ball and threw it back to wicket-keeper Shai Hope.
Meanwhile, Imam kept running while Babar was ball-watching only and the Pakistani skipper turned around quickly. In fact, Imam was so far down the pitch that, when Pooran threw the ball to Hope, Imam and Babar were standing almost parallel.
Imam ran back although knowing it was going to be in vain unless Hope fumbled. However, it didn’t happen as Hope collected the ball safely and disturbed the stumps with Imam around in the middle of the pitch.
Imam was absolutely livid at being run-out and his reaction was caught by the camera. In anger and frustration, he hit the turf with his bat with dust coming out of it as he screamed in rage. The opener looked infuriated as he walked back to the dressing room.
Watch: Imam-ul-Haq’s angry reaction on getting run-out
Miscommunication results in a run out
@ImamUlHaq12 batted well for his 72
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 10, 2022
Both Imam and Babar brought up their sixth fifty on a trot respectively, and also their fourth consecutive century partnership. Although Pakistan suffered a mini-collapse in the end, their fifties ensured the total reached 275, which eventually was too much for the West Indies batters as the hosts won the game by 120 runs. Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Wasim Jr shared 7 wickets between them.
Pakistan had won the first ODI by 5 wickets on the back of Babar Azam’s century. And with a win in the second ODI, they have claimed the 3-match series. The third rubber will be played on Sunday.
