Name: Imran Farhat

Birth date: May 20, 1982

Hometown: Lahore

Teams: Pakistan, Biman Bangladesh, Habib Bank Limited, ICL Pakistan XI, Lahore, Lahore Badshahs, Pakistan Reserves

Debut: Test: March 8, 2001 l ODI: February 17, 2001 l T20I: February 5, 2010 

 

 

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 stroke-maker 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 don't 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 dilemma. That success was short lived and after a disappointing 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 opening the 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.

 

Farhat was unable to replicate his SA efforts a few months later in ODI's against Scotland, Ireland and WI and South Africa in the ICC Champions trophy. Farhat scored a total of 64 runs at an average of 12.8 and as a result was replaced by Asad Shafiq for Pakistan's third and final group match in the Champions Trophy against India.

He would later opt out of the Test series against Zimbabwe citing personal reasons, which were later revealed to be related to his wife's health.

 

Imran since the South Africa series in 2013 hasn't featured in the team or played any international matches although he continues to dominate at the domestic level. Still competition from other openers has kept him out and a return in near future is looking unlikely.

 

[Last updated: June 13, 2015]