Imam-ul-Haq Guides Yorkshire to Victory on One-Day Cup Debut

A Confident Start for the Pakistan Opener

Imam-ul-Haq couldn’t have asked for a better start to his One-Day Cup journey with Yorkshire.

In a low-scoring clash against Warwickshire at Scarborough, the experienced Pakistan opener brought calm to a tense chase, scoring a composed 55 off 83 balls on debut. His knock helped Yorkshire secure a five-wicket win and made an early statement in Group B.

Warwickshire’s Early Collapse Sets the Tone

Batting first, Warwickshire found themselves in deep trouble early. Yorkshire’s young quick Ben Cliff tore through their top and middle order, picking up his first-ever five-wicket haul in List A cricket (5/46).

At one point, Warwickshire were 45 for 9.

But debutant Vaansh Jani showed remarkable resilience. The 20-year-old struck a gutsy 82 off 92 balls, combining with Oliver Hannon-Dalby for a 92-run stand — the only real highlight of Warwickshire’s innings.

They were eventually bowled out for 137 in 36.3 overs.

Imam Anchors a Wobbly Chase

Yorkshire’s chase wasn’t flawless — a few early wickets brought brief nerves — but Imam-ul-Haq remained calm at the crease.

His knock wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what Yorkshire needed. He picked gaps, rotated strike, and punished anything loose. His nine boundaries were all about timing, not brute force.

Yorkshire chased down the target in 32.5 overs, winning by 5 wickets with 103 balls to spare.

Why This Win Matters

  • For Yorkshire: it’s a solid start to their One-Day Cup campaign.
  • For Imam-ul-Haq: A match-winning debut and a reminder of his reliability in 50-over cricket.
  • For Ben Cliff: A coming-of-age moment with the ball — his 5-for will surely boost his confidence and standing in the squad.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t a high-scoring spectacle, but it had everything: early collapse, a rescue act, a calm chase, and two standout individual performances.

Imam-ul-Haq did what he’s known for — steadying the innings. Ben Cliff showed why Yorkshire fans should be excited about their bowling attack.

It’s early in the tournament, but Yorkshire have momentum — and a rock-solid opener leading the way.

Quick Recap

📍 Warwickshire 137 all out (36.3 overs)

  • Vaansh Jani: 82 (92)
  • Ben Cliff: 5/46 (8.3 overs)

📍 Yorkshire 140/5 (32.5 overs)

  • Imam-ul-Haq: 55 (83)
  • Result: Yorkshire won by 5 wickets

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