Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq reached a major career milestone during the opening day of the first Test against England at Headingley.
The left-handed opener entered the match just four runs short of 5,000 international runs. He completed the milestone during Pakistan’s first innings with a boundary against Ollie Robinson.
Imam Completes 5,000-Run Milestone
Imam started the match with 4,996 international runs across all three formats. His tally included 1,823 Test runs, 3,152 ODI runs and 21 T20I runs.
He reached 5,000 runs during the ninth over of Pakistan’s innings. Imam struck Robinson for a boundary to cross the landmark.
The achievement placed him among an exclusive group of Pakistani batters. He became the 30th Pakistani player to score at least 5,000 international runs.
The list includes several legendary names, such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Javed Miandad and Imran Khan.
Imam Scores 42 at Headingley
Imam continued his innings after reaching the milestone and produced a useful contribution for Pakistan.
The opener scored 42 runs before Josh Tongue dismissed him during the second session. His innings included an important partnership with Abdullah Shafique.
The pair added 91 runs for the third wicket, helping Pakistan recover after losing early wickets.
However, Imam’s dismissal triggered another difficult period for Pakistan. The team soon lost two additional wickets in quick succession.
Imam’s International Record
Following his latest milestone, Imam has scored 5,038 international runs from 107 appearances.
He currently holds an overall batting average of 41.29. His international record also includes 12 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
His achievement adds another significant milestone to his international career. It also places him alongside some of Pakistan’s most accomplished batters.
Pakistan Faces Pressure After Imam’s Dismissal
Pakistan’s innings became more challenging after Imam departed. The team slipped to 118/5 following the quick loss of two more wickets.
At the time of reporting, Pakistan had reached 127/5 after 40 overs. Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on three, while stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha had six runs.
Imam’s 42 therefore proved valuable during a difficult opening day. His 5,000-run achievement also provided a personal highlight during Pakistan’s challenging start against England.
The milestone further strengthens Imam’s place among Pakistan’s leading run-scorers across international cricket.
