Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of high performance Aqib Javed criticised Imam-ul-Haq for not batting in either innings of the Lord’s Test against England and stated that he will face an inquiry regarding his injury.
Imam was among seven players sent back to Pakistan following the team’s 194-run defeat to England in the second Test, which handed the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The left-handed batter suffered a low-grade tear in his left calf while fielding on the opening day at Lord’s. He subsequently did not take part in either innings despite remaining with the team during the Test.
Speaking to a local news channel on Tuesday, Aqib expressed his disappointment over Imam’s absence with the bat and questioned whether the injury should have prevented him from batting altogether.
“The Imam injury is a big question mark, and a deep disappointment,” Aqib said.
The PCB official argued that players in past often attempted to continue playing despite injuries, while suggesting that Imam should have made an effort to bat for Pakistan.
“Players in the past used to get injuries, but they used to put on casts and still tried [to play]. We’ll take action against this. How is it possible that a pulled muscle ruled you out of batting in both innings? He should have tried and fought,” he said.
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Aqib Javed, however, stopped short of accusing Imam of deliberately exaggerating his injury.
“I can’t say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether. He’ll have to face an inquiry,” he added.
Imam’s injury was confirmed by the PCB before the start of the second day’s play at Lord’s, with the board stating that scans had revealed a low-grade calf strain and that his participation would depend on his recovery.
The opener remained unavailable for the remainder of the match but returned to the field to warm up with his teammates on the fourth morning.
His visible rehabilitation work also drew criticism from former England pacer Stuart Broad during the Test. Imam was seen training in shorts with medical tape around his injured leg and appeared to be limping.
Broad questioned the need for Imam to carry out his rehabilitation work so visibly, suggesting that the Pakistan batter could have completed the recovery exercises away from public attention.
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