Imran Farhat is a left hand opening batsman and occasional left arm spin bowler. It's been a ‘stop-start’ career for this dashing left handed opener who was given a number of opportunities at the international level and recalled several times without long term success and consistency.

Imran despite being a wonderful strokemaker has never really cemented his place in the Pakistan team and whilst very pleasing on the eye when in full flow, always has had the tendency to self-destruct playing a loose or irresponsible shot. His test average of 32 and ODI average of 32.45 dont do justice to a player who could have achieved a lot more at the international level and was a very skilled exponent.

A very gifted strokemaker who at times resembled the great Saeed Anwar and who made it through the ranks having represented Pakistan at the junior and under 19 levels, he was dropped from the ODI team following Pakistan's tour to South Africa in 2007 and was left behind for the World Cup, the Abu Dhabi series against Sri Lanka and the short tour to Scotland.

Farhat, however, was awarded a central contract which he duly signed but was then released upon his request and went on to sign a contract with the Indian Cricket League. As with a number of other players, in 2009, Farhat decided to break ties with the ICL and make himself available for official cricket. Since coming back into the fold, Farhat has slotted straight into the Habib Bank Limited Squad and is back to performing at his best with some handy scores.

With the current state of openers in Pakistan not improving, Imran Farhat was rushed back into the Pakistani team in a tour to New Zealand in late 2009. He batted well and finished with a century. His good form continued in Australia and for a while it seems like Farhat and Butt may be the solution to Pakistan's opening dilema. That success was short lived and after a dissapointing showing in the disastrous England tour of 2010, he was dropped once again. However, after yet another good domestic season, Farhat found himself back in the squad a year later in the tour to Zimbabwe.

Imran Farhat showed flourishes of promise while openingthe batting against Sri Lanka in Dubai. Farhat notched up two half centuries (50,70) against the Sri Lankans and displayed maturity at the crease. This led to his selection in the following Bangladesh series, but was unable to impress in the T20I games in which he played.

He was recalled for Pakistan's tour to South Africa in 2013. He played the last of the three tests after the failures of opener Nasir Jamshed. He scored 30 and 43 in the first and second innings, respectively. In addition, he played the last two ODIs of the series, scoring a winning 93 in the fourth ODI.

[Last updated: May 4, 2013]