LEEDS — Imam-ul-Haq continued his scintillating form with a second consecutive century as Yorkshire maintained their perfect start to the One-Day Cup with a thrilling victory over Roses rivals Lancashire at Headingley.
The Pakistani left-hander, who struck 120 against Kent earlier in the week, followed it up with a masterful 113 off 109 balls, anchoring Yorkshire's chase of 282 with five wickets and 11 balls to spare. His innings, laced with 12 boundaries and two sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award.
"It's always special to score against Lancashire," said Imam after the match. "The rivalry adds extra motivation, and I'm glad I could contribute to a big win for the team."
A Nail-Biting Chase
Yorkshire's pursuit of Lancashire's 281-9 was far from straightforward. The hosts lost early wickets, including opener Finlay Bean for just 12, before Imam and captain Shan Masood (47) steadied the innings with a 98-run partnership.
Lancashire fought back with quick wickets, reducing Yorkshire to 193-4, but Imam found an able partner in George Hill (56*), with the pair adding 78 runs to tilt the game back in Yorkshire's favor. Hill's unbeaten half-century ensured there were no late hiccups.
Key Moments:
- Imam's 113 – his fourth List A century for Yorkshire
- George Hill's composed 56* under pressure
- Lancashire's Tom Bailey (3-52) keeping the game alive
Lancashire's Competitive Total
Earlier, Lancashire posted a competitive 281-9, thanks largely to Josh Bohannon's 89 and Keaton Jennings' 63. The visitors looked set for a bigger total at 180-2, but Yorkshire's bowlers, led by Ben Cliff (3-55), struck at regular intervals to restrict them.
"We were 20-30 runs short," admitted Lancashire skipper Jennings. "Credit to Yorkshire's bowlers, they pulled things back well in the middle overs."
Yorkshire's Perfect Start
The win keeps Yorkshire at the top of Group B with three wins from three matches, while Lancashire suffered their first defeat after two victories. The result also extends Yorkshire's recent dominance in the Roses rivalry, having now won four of their last five One-Day Cup encounters.
With Imam in sublime touch and the middle order contributing when needed, Yorkshire look strong contenders for the knockout stages. Their next challenge comes against Durham on Sunday, while Lancashire face a must-win clash against Nottinghamshire.
"We're taking it one game at a time," said Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson. "But performances like today show we're heading in the right direction."
What's Next?
Both teams now turn their attention to their next fixtures, with Lancashire needing a response and Yorkshire aiming to maintain momentum. The One-Day Cup continues to deliver thrilling encounters, and this Roses clash was no exception.
For Imam, the focus remains on consistency. "I just want to keep contributing," he said. "When you're in form, you have to make it count."
With the knockout stages approaching, Yorkshire will hope their star batter continues to deliver when it matters most.