Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq didn’t come out to bat in the first innings after sustaining a calf strain while fielding on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord’s.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released an official statement regarding Imam’s injury on the second day, which read: “Pakistan opening batter Imam-ul-Haq sustained a strain to his left calf muscle while fielding on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord’s. Scans later confirmed a low-grade calf strain and Imam is currently receiving treatment under the supervision of Pakistan's medical team. His participation in the remainder of the Test depends on treatment leading to recovery.”
Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim, however, has accused Imam of faking an injury in the Lord’s Test while claiming there have been earlier such instances as well, including during the Multan Test against England in 2022. He even claimed being warned by the physio that the opener could fake an injury.
Imam didn’t open in Pakistan's second innings as they chased 355. He instead batted at number five, while Mohammad Rizwan opened and scored 30 runs. Imam hit a half century, scoring 60 runs, as Pakistan were bundled out for 328 to lose the Test by 26 runs.
“The physio had actually come to me and told me beforehand,” Wasim said on his YouTube channel about the 2022 Multan Test. “The announcement hadn't even been made yet, and the decision hadn't even been made. I think the player hadn't said anything either. He came and warned me that this was going to happen. And it happened exactly like that. Because of whatever discussions he'd had, he then said that this had happened in the past too, and coaches had complained about similar things.”
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Wasim felt the team was going back to its old habits, with Babar Azam's return as captain potentially playing a role. He further claimed that such incidents had happened in domestic cricket as well, and hoped head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed would take action.
“I think we need to get rid of such characters, because look at the message this sends to everyone else inside the team,” Wasim added. “What precedent are you setting? This has become repetitive. As they say, when something keeps repeating, it's no longer a coincidence. I think we need to look into this, whoever is doing whatever they're doing. And the second thing is, maybe since Babar is captain again, we're going back in that direction.”
“I thought he'd come out to open (at Lord’s), but he didn't. Then they kept moving him further down the order, and eventually he didn't come out at all. I'm sure Sarfaraz and the others are watching these things, and they'll take action against it,” he concluded.
Pakistan lost their nine wickets for just 110 runs in response to England’s 290 in the first innings. At stumps on Day 2, the hosts were 81-3, and in a commanding position with an overall lead of 261 runs. The start of play on Day 3 has been delayed due to rain.
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