Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: Imam-ul-Haq makes his comeback case stronger with leading runs

• Imam-ul-Haq returns with an impressive performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25.
• He scored 635 runs in the group stage, leading the batting chart.
• Imam was dropped from Pakistan’s Test squad in August.

LAHORE: Imam-ul-Haq, the left-handed batter who was dropped from Pakistan’s Test squad in August, has made a compelling case for his return with an outstanding performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25. Playing for his hometown team Multan, Imam scored 635 runs in the group stage, placing him at the top of the batting chart. His highest score in the tournament was an impressive 184 runs.

In a tight competition, Peshawar's Maaz Sadaqat is in third place with 462 runs and is in a strong position to surpass Imam and Umar Amin, who has scored 476 runs, as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Umar, from Rawalpindi, has been in exceptional form recently and sits second on the list. Abid Ali, another player seeking a return to the Test team, has accumulated 425 runs for Bahawalpur.

On the bowling front, Islamabad's Musa Khan leads the wicket-taking chart with 38 dismissals, followed by Lahore Blues' Mohammad Abbas with 31 wickets. Mehran Sanwal also shares third place with 31 wickets. FATA’s Afaq Afridi registered the best bowling figures in an innings, taking eight wickets for 57 runs, while Ubaid Shah, younger brother of Test fast bowler Naseem Shah, also claimed eight wickets in an innings.

In the wicket-keeping department, Multan's Afzal Manzoor leads with 26 dismissals, while Mohammad Haris of Peshawar has 17. Zain Abbas from Multan tops the fielding list with 11 catches.

Lahore Whites (Group A), Peshawar (Group B), and Sialkot (Group C) have advanced to the triangular stage. The first match will be held between Peshawar and Sialkot from November 26 to 29, followed by Peshawar and Lahore from December 2 to 5, both in Abbottabad. The final match of the tournament will take place after the Champions T20 Cup, from December 7 to 25 in Rawalpindi, with the top two teams from the triangular stage facing off.

Triangular Stage

Match 1 – 26-29 November – Peshawar vs Sialkot – Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad

Match 2 – 2-5 December – Peshawar vs Lahore Whites - Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad

Match 3- 27-30 December – Lahore Whites vs Sialkot – TBC

Final

2-6 January 2025 - Top two teams of the triangular stage – TBC

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