Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the second Test match against England at Lord’s following a grade-1 tear in his left calf. The injury occurred during Day 1 of the match, specifically after tea, when Imam left the field and did not return. Consequently, he did not bat in Pakistan’s first innings, where the team was dismissed for a mere 110 runs in response to England’s total of 290.
As per Cricbuzz , Imam was seen practicing some shots before the start of play on Day 4 and “might still come out to bat if Pakistan desperately need him late in the game. He called for medical assistance during his 42-run outing in the first innings and had his left calf strapped. We can only hope at this time and try and encourage the batting group,” he said after Day 3. 350-400 has been chased in the past, too.
Pakistan are hoping for a “miracle” at Lord’s as England ended the rain-marred Day 3 at 177/7 with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 50 and the hosts having a 357-run lead. The Southpaw picked up the blow while batting in the first innings of the first Test at Headingley. Imam’s potential unavailability will be a blow for Pakistan, who are already staring at a big defeat. Pakistan will be a player down, as replacements for only concussion issues are allowed. Meanwhile, Pakistan fast bowler Ali is hopeful of a miracle to turn the thing around. “Miracles do happen in cricket. “It’ll be a difficult task but not impossible. Until the last ball is bowled in cricket, you can’t make predictions. The Test still has a way to run. It’s all about mindset and belief. Conditions are tough, but we’ll have to face that challenge and find a way out to get runs,” Ali added. (With IANS Inputs)
