Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Pakistan Board Weighs Action Against Imam After Lord’s Defeat
Pakistan’s cricket team lost the second Test match to England by 194 runs.
England therefore won the three-match series 2-0 before the final game.
Imam-ul-Haq did not bat because Pakistan said he had a small tear in his left calf.
Aaqib Javed, a senior Pakistan cricket official, questioned whether the injury was serious enough to stop him batting.
He said Imam would have to answer questions in an inquiry, but did not say that Imam had faked the injury.
Some commentators also criticized Imam after seeing him warm up with the team.
Captain Babar Azam became sick with a fever but was expected to play in the last match.
Pakistan released seven players and dismissed two coaches as it tried to respond to its poor performances.
Aaqib Javed questioned whether Imam-ul-Haq’s calf injury prevented him from batting in either innings.
The Pakistan Cricket Board reported a low-grade tear in Imam’s left calf before day two.
Imam was among seven players released after Pakistan lost to England by 194 runs at Lord’s.
Babar Azam developed a fever but was expected to recover for the series finale.
Pakistan also dismissed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul amid the team’s poor results.
- Who
- Pakistan Cricket Board official Aaqib Javed, opener Imam-ul-Haq, captain Babar Azam and Pakistan’s team management are central to the dispute.
- What
- The PCB is considering action or an inquiry involving Imam after he did not bat at Lord’s, while Pakistan overhauled its squad and coaching staff.
- When
- The developments occurred after Pakistan’s second Test defeat during its England tour, before the series finale.
- Where
- The disputed absence occurred during the Test at Lord’s in England.
- Why
- Aaqib questioned Imam’s decision not to bat, while Pakistan’s wider changes followed poor performances and a 194-run defeat.
Critics and Reform Advocates
Medical and Team Position
Imam-ul-Haq’s absence
Critics and Reform Advocates
Aaqib Javed argued that a pulled muscle should not necessarily have prevented Imam from batting in both innings and called for an inquiry. Stuart Broad and David Warner also criticized Imam after his warm-up session.
Medical and Team Position
The Pakistan Cricket Board reported a low-grade tear in Imam’s left calf and said his participation would depend on medical advice. Aaqib said he could not claim that Imam had faked the injury.
Playing XI selection
Critics and Reform Advocates
Aaqib said Pakistan should have selected fast bowler Ubaid Shah, a pace-bowling all-rounder and second wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori instead of Mohammad Rizwan, arguing that these changes could have improved the team’s balance.
Medical and Team Position
The article does not provide a detailed public defense from the captain or coaches of the selection decisions before the Lord’s Test.
Response to poor performances
Critics and Reform Advocates
Aaqib said Pakistan had failed to compete in the first two Tests and that recalled players needed to show greater effort on important tours.
Medical and Team Position
Pakistan’s management responded with major changes, including releasing seven players and dismissing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. Babar Azam was still expected to lead in the series finale if fit.
- Second Test result
- England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord’s.
- Series position
- England leads the three-match series 2-0, securing the series before the final Test.
- Reported injury
- The PCB said Imam-ul-Haq suffered a low-grade tear in his left calf.
- Proposed response
- Aaqib Javed said Imam would face an inquiry and that action would be taken.
- Squad changes
- Seven Pakistan players, including Imam, were released after the Lord’s defeat.
- Coaching changes
- Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were dismissed.
- Babar Azam’s health
- Pakistan’s captain developed a fever but was expected to recover before the series finale.
- Recent away record
- Pakistan had lost 10 of its previous 11 away Tests and had two wins from eight World Test Championship matches, with a 16.67 points percentage.
