Former Pakistan opener Imran Farhat turns 40 today. Imran was indeed a talented opener who seemed to have solved Pakistan's opening issues. Coming onto the scene at a time when the great Saeed Anwer was in the twilight of his career, the boots were always too big to fill for Imran Farhat.

The left-handed batter did show signs of class and temperament, however inconsistent performances did not allow him to have a grand career. His brief years with Pakistan cricket do include some knocks which prove that the boy from Lahore had what it takes to be an opener but just could not deliver to his potential.

Let's revisit some of his top knocks. 

101 vs India, 2nd Test, Lahore 2004.

One of Imran's finest knocks came against the arch-rivals. In the second Test of India's tour of Pakistan in 2004, Imran played a 101-run innings and helped Pakistan put up a good lead of 202 runs. India batted first and was bowled out for 287. In reply, with help of Farhat's 101, Pakistan scored 489 runs followed by bowling India out again for 241 runs. Pakistan was asked to chase just 39 runs which they did with nine wickets in hand.

107 vs New Zealand, 5th ODI, Rawalpindi 2003.

Imran played one of his best white-ball innings against New Zealand in the early days of his cricketing career. In the fifth ODI vs New Zealand in Rawalpindi, Imran Farhat socred 112-ball 107 and put up a great partnership with Yasir Hameed who scored 127 runs. Pakistan scored 277 runs in the first innings and then managed to restrict New Zealand to 228/6 in 50 overs winning the match by 49 runs.

128 vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Faisalabad 2003.

Imran's other brilliant inning came at a very young age. In 2003, against South Africa in Faisalabad during the second Test. Imran scored 128 runs in Pakistan's first innings. South Africa was bowled out for 278 runs in the first innings. Pakistan, with the help of Imran Farhat's brilliant knock, replied in great fashion and scored 348 runs taking a 70-run lead. South Africa then scored 371 runs before declaring the innings. Pakistan managed to escape a defeat and the game ended in a draw.