Imam-ul-Haq's injury an act? PCB launches investigation into the Pakistan opener's calf tear at Lord's

Imam-ul-Haq's injury an act? PCB launches investigation into the Pakistan opener's calf tear at Lord's originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly investigating the circumstances surrounding Imam-ul-Haq's calf injury during the second Test against England at Lord's.

Imam complained of discomfort on the opening day and was unable to bat in Pakistan's second innings, where they stumbled to a 194-run defeat.

The PCB has reportedly sent the opener back to Pakistan and wants a detailed review of his injury and its handling.

Speculation over whether the injury was genuine has been raised.

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PCB investigates Imam-ul-Haq's calf injury after failing to bat in Lord's Test

Pakistan's disastrous England tour has reportedly invited another controversy, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly launching a high-level investigation into the circumstances surrounding Imam-ul-Haq's calf injury during the Lord's Test.

The Pakistan opener complained of discomfort in his calf on the opening day of the second Test and was subsequently unable to take part in Pakistan's second innings. England went on to secure a comprehensive 194-run victory, sealing the three-match series with one match still to play.

However, the focus has now shifted away from Pakistan's latest batting collapse and towards questions surrounding Imam's fitness.

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According to reports, the PCB wants a detailed assessment of the injury, including when Imam first reported the problem, the medical evaluation carried out during the Test and the reasons he was unable to bat during Pakistan's chase.

The board has also reportedly decided to send the 30-year-old back to Pakistan on the earliest available flight, creating uncertainty over his immediate future with the Test side.

MORE:Pakistan swing the axe after brutal England Test series defeat, reportedly send Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan home

Was Imam-ul-Haq's injury genuine? Why the PCB is investigating

Imam's injury came under intense scrutiny after he was spotted practicing on Day 4 of the Lord's Test.

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The opener was seen hobbling around with his calf taped with questions continuing to be raised on why he wasn't batting despite Pakistan's dire need to help with runs. Among those unconvinced by what they saw was former England fast bowler Stuart Broad.

Broad dismissed the idea that Imam's presence around the ground should be viewed as an encouraging sign.

"That's all for show," he said. Broad suggested that if Imam was genuinely working on his recovery, he could have done so away from public view.

MORE: Rashid Latif slams Mohsin Naqvi's PCB as 'worst cricket board in 70 years' after Pakistan's horror Test series defeat in England

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"He's had a bit of stick from the media, maybe teammates, whatever. You can do that in an indoor school without anyone seeing you. You don't have to wear shorts and a bit of tape and hobble around like that, I'm sorry. I am not that impressed with that."

The stick from the media that Broad is referring to emerged after claims from former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim, who questioned the genuineness of Imam's injury while citing a previous case during the 2022 Test against England in Multan.

"In 2022 Multan test, the physio warned me in advance that he is going to fake an injury soon. And he did that," Wasim said on a podcast.

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PCB investigation should provide some answers

The crucial difference, however, from the alleged 2022 incident that Wasim cites and from Imam's current calf problem, is that the one at Lord's was reportedly medically assessed, with scans confirming a low-grade or grade-one strain.

That means the injury itself cannot simply be dismissed as fabricated based on the criticism surrounding his behaviour. However, an investigation from the PCB should confirm or clear the claims.

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As for Pakistan, they are scheduled to play the third and final Test at Edgbaston on September 9 where Mike Hesson could reportedly take over the red-ball coaching reigns from Sarfaraz Ahmed.

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