Pakistan’s opening batter Imam-ul-Haq is preparing to hire a lawyer to defend himself against an urgent investigation launched by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The inquiry centers on a calf injury that forced him out of action during the second Test against England.
Imam’s Injury Sparks Controversy and Inquiry
Imam-ul-Haq has been sidelined due to a calf muscle injury that reportedly requires ten days of rest, preventing him from batting in either innings of the second Test. The injury occurred while he was fielding, but doubts about its legitimacy arose on the fourth day of the match. Television cameras captured him wearing a patch on his leg and awkwardly practicing throwdowns, which led to speculation about the seriousness of his condition. Several former players expressed skepticism, suggesting he may have faked the injury.
Following these incidents, team management released Imam along with six other squad members, and he returned home on Tuesday. An internal source indicated to reporters that Imam is facing significant scrutiny and may seek legal counsel as he prepares to appear before an inquiry committee established by the Board. This committee will investigate the circumstances surrounding his inability to bat during the match.
Scrutiny intensified further when former chief selector Muhammad Wasim disclosed that team physio Cliffe Deacon previously flagged concerns regarding the player’s injury patterns during a 2022 Test tour of England. Matters worsened with revelations from a media report indicating that a separate board committee in 2025 concluded the athlete fabricated a toe injury during a trip to New Zealand and suggested a complete ban across all formats. Squad Overhaul and Remaining Itinerary Meanwhile, management changes occurred after heavy defeats in the opening two games, where the squad lost by an innings and 103 runs followed by a 194 run defeat. Former head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed alongside four team members named Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, and Khurram Shahzad will stay in England for several extra days despite being dropped ahead of the third and final match scheduled in Birmingham from September 9 to 13.
