With allegations of previous fake injuries resurfacing and fresh speculation surrounding his latest injury during the second Test against England at Lord’s, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq reportedly finds himself in the firing line.
Imam-ul-Haq suffered calf injury during 2nd England Test
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According to a report by PTI, Imam could face strong disciplinary action after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi ordered a probe into his left calf injury. He sustained the injury on Day 1 of the second Test, which Pakistan lost, thereby conceding the series with one match still to play. Imam was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the Test and did not bat in either innings.
Since the team management announced his injury, there has been speculation that Imam was faking it. Veteran cricketers Stuart Broad and David Warner also accused him of putting on an act after he stepped out to practise batting ahead of Day 4 at Lord’s on Sunday, with tape around his left calf and appearing to hobble as he trained.
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Deep Dive
What sparked the Pakistan Cricket Board's investigation into Imam-ul-Haq's injury?
The PCB launched an investigation into Imam-ul-Haq’s left calf injury after allegations surfaced that he might be faking the injury, particularly after he was seen practicing batting with tape on his calf ahead of a Test match.
Why is Imam-ul-Haq facing scrutiny regarding his past injuries?
Imam-ul-Haq is under scrutiny due to previous allegations of faking injuries, including an incident during a New Zealand tour in 2025, where he was accused of fabricating symptoms and misleading medical staff.
How might the current inquiry affect Imam-ul-Haq's future with the Pakistan cricket team?
Depending on the findings of the inquiry into his calf injury, Imam-ul-Haq could face strong disciplinary action, which may include a potential ban, impacting his ability to represent Pakistan in future matches.
“One thing is for sure, he is going back home before the third Test,” a source close to the board told PTI.
The source further said Naqvi had ordered a formal inquiry into the matter and asked for its findings as soon as possible.
The latest development comes amid reports of two previous incidents in which Imam was accused of faking or exaggerating injuries. Earlier last week, former Pakistan selector Mohammad Wasim recalled an incident during a home Test series in 2022.
“The physio had actually come to me and told me beforehand,” Wasim said during an online discussion with renowned Pakistan cricket historian Dr Nauman Niaz. “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.
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“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.”
On Monday, Pakistani media outlet Geo News reported that a PCB committee had considered banning Imam from international cricket after an inquiry into an alleged injury incident during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand last year.
According to the report, medical scans showed no evidence of an injury, while the inquiry allegedly found that Imam had used a marker to create the appearance of discolouration on his toe.
The latest PCB probe will determine whether there was any wrongdoing surrounding his current calf injury and whether further disciplinary action is warranted.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/Imam-ul-Haq could face disciplinary action as Mohsin Naqvi orders probe into Lord’s injury amid fake claims: Report
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