During his team’s Champions Trophy 2025 match against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan was caught short of his crease in the last over of the powerplay. With Imam and Babar Azam looking well at the crease, Pakistan made a respectable start after choosing to bat first.
The injured Fakhar Zaman was replaced by Imam, who was playing his first ODI since the World Cup in November 2023. He was forced to head back to the hut, though, as Axar Patel struck the non-striker’s end with the bullseye.
Located at mid-on, Imam drove a full delivery to Axar Patel.
The top-order batter rushed to finish the single, but the ball was hit a little too hard to mid-on, even though Imam had the momentum. Axar grabbed it flawlessly and threw it, catching a diving Imam just short of the crease.
𝘽𝙐𝙇𝙇𝙎𝙀𝙔𝙀! 🎯💥
Axar Patel with a stunning direct hit and Imam-ul-Haq is caught short! A moment of brilliance in the #GreatestRivalry—can Pakistan recover from this setback? 👀🔥#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 🇮🇳 🆚 🇵🇰 | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star… pic.twitter.com/vkrBMgrxTi
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025
After the openers are dismissed, Pakistan aims to stabilise.
Babar Azam nicked through to KL Rahul off a Hardik Pandya delivery, becoming the first wicket to fall before Imam was run-out. Babar appeared ready for a big score based on his early performance. Pakistan ended the powerplay with both of their opening batsmen back in the pavilion, therefore he was unable to continue for very long.
After 19.1 overs, the Men in Green are now at 78/2. India will want to exert pressure throughout the middle overs with an unaltered starting lineup. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel currently occupy the crease.
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