Twitterati bashes Imam-ul-Haq for lack of intent during his century versus Bangladesh

Imam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan opener is a batsman has loads of potential. He started his career with a century against Sri Lanka back in 2017 and since has grown from strength of strength. However, Imam has had his fair share of difficulties in the ongoing World Cup in England and Wales. In the first eight games of the league stage, he managed only a solitary half-century and got out after getting starts on most occasions.

The 23-year-old got a few scores in the 30s and 40s, but couldn’t go on and convert them. But in the ninth and final game against Bangladesh at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Imam put up a much better show in the hour of desperation. The left-hander racked up his seventh ODI century off 99 balls. Moreover, he also carved his name on the renowned Lord’s Honours Board.

Calm and collected Imam

Imam didn’t go hammer and tongs to start his knock and was rather cautious. He played out Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the initial few overs as the spinner showed exceptional accuracy. In the eighth over, he lost Fakhar Zaman as his partner. Thereafter, Imam stitched together a valuable partnership of 157 runs with Babar Azam to well and truly put the Men in Green on the driver’s seat.

He got to his half-century off 52 deliveries. In the 32nd over, Babar perished to Mohammad Saifuddin after scoring 96. However, Imam carried on his own merry way and accomplished his ton. He was a tad nervous in his 90s and slowed down a wee bit. Nevertheless, in the third ball of the 42nd over, the youngster patted the leather down the ground to raise his arms in delight on achieving the personal milestone.

A couple of balls later, Mustafizur Rahman nipped him out after Imam stepped on to the stumps while playing a stroke. In the meantime, despite his stupendous knock, Pakistan fans bashed him left, right and centre for not showing enough intent. The national team was needed to win the game by a margin of over 300 runs and the fans weren’t happy with the way Imam went about his job.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Imam’s slow hundred:

It’s not who you are.. What you do in life defines who you are.. Me not bothered if Pakistan gets to the semis or not but one thing is for sure.. Sportsmanship of few Champions got tested and they failed badly #PAKvBAN #CWC19

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) July 5, 2019

And the legend #imamulhaq is out after scoring selfish 100.
I was right they are selfish and playing for themselves not for Pakistan#PAKvBAN#PakistanCricket

— UMAR KHAN (@umarkhan600) July 5, 2019

What a cricketing tragedy imam ul haq is…

— انعام (@maniiminhas) July 5, 2019

Another useless century and a ridiculously soft dismissal by Imam ul Haq!

— Umar Khayyam (@utggondal) July 5, 2019

Imam ul Haq or Hafeez still playing like a Test batsman even they know we need 400 score target but they still playing for own 50 or century@ImamUlHaq12 @MHafeez22 #PakvsBan

— masoom_???? (@mei_pakistani_) July 5, 2019

Imam Ul Haq Grow Up dude..We are not going to appreciate you for this selfish innings #PAKvBAN #CWC19

— Shahid Tahir (@shahidtahir85) July 5, 2019

No matter how good imam ul haq performs, i’m never getting convinced from him bcs he’s a selfish player and a fraud.

— Saad (@SaadbaeReal) July 5, 2019

Imam ul haq we don’t need your hundred

— De Saif (@DeSaif6) July 5, 2019

Pakistani supporters gave Dhoni so much flak for “not showing intent“ against England. I wonder what they make of the fact that their batsmen aren’t even trying for the semifinals. https://t.co/LGK0Kn813W

— Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) July 5, 2019

Lanat hai Imam Ul Haq ki aisi century pe.

— GM (@GM491) July 5, 2019

Imam ul haq is a real parchii.

— Rayyan. (@imalikrayyan) July 5, 2019

Imam ul Haq ekdum time pe form me aa gaye hai, ab Pakistan Zimbabwe aur Afganistan se series khelne ko taiyar hai#PAKvBAN

— Good Guy (@gooljaar) July 5, 2019

Wo poochna tha k honor board pe naam parchi likha jaye ga ya Imam ul Haq ? ????????.btw ye Kia tareeka tha out honay ka ? ????????

— Ubaid-ur-Rehman (@ubaid_chawla) July 5, 2019

First time since 1992 two Pakistan batsmen have scored tons in a World Cup – Babar and Imam. In 1992, Rameez Raza and Aamer Sohail had got hundreds.#PakvBan #CWC19

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) July 5, 2019

So what imam ul haq did. Selfish hundred

— AREEB (@indianLad786) July 5, 2019