Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Imam-Ul-Haq bats at Scarborough, where Yorkshire will almost certainly be returning to for a home semi-final on Sunday.
Yorkshire will aim to round off their Group B campaign in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup tomorrow with a magnificent seventh win when they tackle Kent Spitfires at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury, starting at 11am.
The White Rose are planning for a home semi-final at Scarborough on Sunday following a superb run of form which has seen them win six of seven games to top the table.
While the mathematicians will say they are not quite assured of a trip to North Marine Road at the weekend just yet, it would take a miracle for the chasing pack to displace them given the strength of the county’s net run-rate, which is overwhelmingly the best in the competition let alone their own group.
One man who has been central to Yorkshire’s smooth-sailing progress is Pakistani overseas star Imam-Ul-Haq, the left-handed opener who has scored three centuries in six games.
“Every game is important to us, and it’s just one bad game and you are out of the tournament,” he said. “So we don’t want to lose that momentum. We have to continue to hit the right spot in the bowling areas, and we have to hit all the big partnerships in the batting.
“It does not matter if it’s a semi-final or a group game. We want to win it.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Imam-Ul-Haq has made a stunning start to his overseas spell with Yorkshire.
Imam is the second leading run-scorer in the One-Day Cup with 513 to his name at an average of 102.60. Hampshire’s top-order batter Nick Gubbins has 582.
Imam has scores of 55, 159, 117, 54 not out, 22 and 106 to his name.
Yesterday at Hove was his 13th century in 121 List A career appearances.
Asked about his current form, ahead of the trip to Canterbury, he said: “I’m just trying my level best to perform and to have a winning contribution with the team.
“So far, I guess I’m lucky enough to be having a good season.
“I was working hard back in Pakistan with my fitness and with my shots, and it feels good.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. James Wharton and Imam-Ul-Haq shared a second-wicket 196 partnership to set the tone for a successful chase of 285 against Sussex yesterday.
And of how much he is enjoying life with Yorkshire, he added: “They’re a lovely team, lovely lads, and it’s very fun especially when you’re winning. I’m very lucky that since I’ve arrived, they’re winning every game.
“This is very good for me and for Yorkshire as well.
“They have welcomed me with a big heart, all the management and the players. They support me very well, and they look after me very well. And all the Pakistani community as well, they also take care of me back in Leeds.”
Yorkshire face a Kent side who are out of contention for the knockouts having won two and lost five of their seven games to date. Last time out, yesterday, they were beaten by four wickets at home to second-placed Somerset, who chased 270.
Coached by ex-England limited overs captain Adam Hollioake, they have split the captaincy throughout this campaign between all-rounder Grant Stewart and wicketkeeper-batter Harry Finch.
The latter captained in yesterday’s game.
Picture by Tom Dulat/Getty Images. Former Yorkshire batter Jack Leaning will almost certainly line up for Kent tomorrow.
One of Andrew Flintoff’s sons, Corey, is playing for Kent in this campaign. Like father Andrew, Corey is an all-rounder.
Former Yorkshire batter Jack Leaning is also a key part of Kent’s side.
England Under 19s batter Ben Dawkins is their leading run-scorer with 257 from five appearances.
Seamer Fred Klaassen and ex-England leg-spinner Matthew Parkinson have both taken eight wickets for the Spitfires.
