Lahore: Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq could face strong disciplinary action after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to conduct a probe into his left calf muscle injury, which prevented him from batting in both innings of the second Test against England at Lord’s.
Imam injured himself while fielding on the opening day of the Test and didn’t take further part in the match.
Since the team management announced his injury, there have been speculations about whether he was faking it.
Imam did not bat in either innings of the Lord’s Test after suffering a Grade 1 tear in his left calf while fielding during England’s first innings, in which he had dropped two important catches. He was forced off the field after tea on Day 1, with Salman Ali Agha replacing him as a substitute fielder.
According to Cricinfo, Imam was advised to rest for 10 days. He had attempted a few throwdowns before the start of the fourth day but soon limped back with members of the support staff.
Former England pacer-turned-broadcaster Stuart Broad saw it and said he was ‘not impressed’ with what he saw, accusing Imam of pretending to be injured.
“That’s all for show. He has got a bit of stick from the media and maybe his teammates. Whatever. You can do that inside the indoor school without anyone seeing; you don’t have to come wearing shorts and tape and hobble around like that. I am not impressed with that. Sorry,” Broad said on Sky Sports.
The Geo.tv report claimed that in 2025, Imam claimed to have suffered a toe injury, but the committee found no medical evidence to support declaring him unfit, as an X-ray revealed neither a fracture nor a dislocation.
It concluded that Imam had exaggerated his symptoms and misled the medical staff, subsequently recommending a ban on his representing Pakistan at all formats and levels. The inquiry further alleged that Imam had deliberately sought to avoid opening on New Zealand’s fast and challenging pitches, describing his conduct as intentional and misleading.
Now, another inquiry will likely be launched on this calf injury.
