Imam-ul-Haq keeps faking injuries: Ex-PAK selector's big claim after Lord's no-show

Former selector Mohammad Wasim accused Imam-ul-Haq of repeatedly using injury claims to avoid playing after the opener missed Pakistan's first innings at Lord's against England. Imam has sustained a calf injury according to the statement from Pakistan cricket board.Imam hasn't come out to bat in Lord's (Courtesy: Reuters)Former Pakistan batter and chief selector Mohammad Wasim has levelled serious allegations against current opener Imam-ul-Haq, claiming that the left-hander has previously exaggerated or fabricated injury problems to avoid playing.Imam was unable to take the field with the bat during Pakistan's first innings of the second Test against England at Lord's after picking up a low-grade calf strain. With his availability for the rest of the match still unclear, Wasim recalled an incident from his time as Pakistan's chief selector and alleged that such concerns were not new.ENGLAND VS PAKISTAN, LORDS TEST DAY 4 UPDATESSpeaking during an online discussion with renowned Pakistan cricket historian Dr Nauman Niaz, Wasim said that a team physiotherapist had alerted him in 2022 about Imam allegedly resorting to similar methods to stay out of action. “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.”Pakistan had to reshuffle their opening combination in Imam's absence, with Shan Masood and Azan Awais walking out to begin the innings on the second day at Lord's. Shan's stay was brief as he was caught behind off Jofra Archer for just one from 11 deliveries. Awais offered some resistance and top-scored with 46, while Saud Shakeel's 16 was the only other double-digit contribution. Pakistan's batting collapsed quickly as they were bowled out for 110 in fewer than 38 overs.Wasim suggested that Pakistan could be slipping back into some of the patterns that had troubled the side in the past, adding that Babar Azam's return to the captaincy may have had an influence on the situation. He also alleged that similar episodes involving injuries had occurred during domestic competitions and expressed hope that head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed would step in and address the matter.“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.WHAT DID PCB SAY ABOUT IMAM'S INJURY?The Pakistan cricket board said that Imam's participation in the match will depend on how well he reacts to the treatment given to his calf injury."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 low grade calf strain and Imam is currently receiving treatment under the supervision of the Pakistan's medical team.""His participation in the remainder of the Test depends on treatment leading to recovery," read the statement from PCB.Pakistan are chasing 389 runs to win the Lord's Test.- EndsPublished On: Aug 30, 2026 19:16 IST