Last Updated on 19 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
It has been a drama-filled few days in Pakistan cricket and it looks like plenty more is to come. According to a report in The News Pakistan, opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq could face a ban of 1-2 years pending an investigation.
Imam’s calf injury at Lord’s brought to light allegations of faking injuries in the past. Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim went viral for his comments, claiming Imam “keeps faking injury” and “in the 2022 Multan Test, the physio had already warned me that Imam was likely to fake an injury soon. And he did exactly that.” Wasim’s comments were supported by former player and current coach Faisal Iqbal, who wrote that he has “seen all his dramas.”
Following the Lord’s Test – where Imam did not bat in either innings – a Geo News report shed light on a previous inquiry into his fitness. During Pakistan’s 2025 tour of New Zealand, a PCB inquiry alleged that Imam faked a toe injury after scans showed no signs of a fracture or dislocation.
According to the committee, the team doctor cleaned a black mark off Imam’s toe, believed to be ink or marker.
Imam-ul-Haq could be banned for 1-2 years following injury dramas: Sources
Aaqib Javed, PCB’s director of high performance, did not miss in his assessment of Imam-ul-Haq. He criticised the opener for not batting in either innings and promised an inquiry into the injury.
“The Imam injury is a big question mark, and a deep disappointment,” Aaqib told Geo News, as quoted by Cricinfo.
“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’ll have to face an inquiry; I can’t say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether.”
Sources told Pakistani media that Imam could face a ban of 1-2 years if found guilty of faking injuries. He has reportedly been given 48 hours to explain the circumstances around his calf injury, and also risks losing his central contract if the PCB is not satisfied with his response.
