Imam-ul-Haq's recent injury controversy at Lord's has opened up an old and unpleasant episode from Pakistan's recent cricketing past. As per the report by Geo TV, a PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) inquiry had previously recommended a heavy punishment to the batter for allegedly staging an injury during the team's 2025 tour of New Zealand.
In the second Test match against England at Lord's, Imam-ul-Haq had sustained a minor grade one strain on his left calf muscle while fielding on the opening day. He was ruled out of the ongoing Test match after the scans revealed the injury. Pakistan lost the match by a huge margin of 194 runs, allowing England to take a 2–0 lead in the Test series.
Imam-ul-Haq's Lord's Injury Brings 2025 Controversy Back
Questions regarding the injury were only exacerbated when Imam was seen training on the sidelines despite being ruled out of the match. Former England pacer Stuart Broad then accused the Pakistan batsman of 'putting on an act', adding another layer to the controversy surrounding his absence.
Imam-ul-Haq is now expected to return to Pakistan on the first available flight from London after missing the rest of the Lord's Test. Reports have also suggested that the PCB could consider a high-level investigation into the latest incident, amid questions about the severity of the injury.
However, there is currently no established evidence of Imam deliberately faking his latest calf problem. The PCB has officially confirmed he suffered a strain, making the circumstances of the current episode different to allegations that emerged during the 2025 New Zealand tour.
The Toe Injury That Led To a PCB Inquiry
The previous controversy dates back to March 28, 2025, when Imam-ul-haq was struck on his right big toe during an indoor net session in New Zealand. An X-ray reportedly showed no fracture or dislocation, although the batter subsequently complained of pain and discolouration.
According to reports at the time, Imam had been advised to avoid walking, but later walked 500 meters to attend an iftar gathering. The circumstances surrounding the injury attracted the attention of a PCB inquiry.
The investigation reportedly examined the dark mark on Imam-ul-Haq's toe, which apparently disappeared after a team doctor cleaned the area with chemically treated paper. The inquiry reportedly concluded the mark was ink or marker rather than naturally occurring blood.
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Imam-ul-Haq denied applying any artificial substance, but the investigators apparently considered his explanation to be inconsistent with available medical evidence. Team officials reportedly told the inquiry the batter appeared to limp while being observed by staff, but walked normally when he was away from them.
The committee reportedly concluded there was no sufficient medical justification for Imam to be declared unavailable for Pakistan's opening ODI against New Zealand. It accused him of fabricating, exaggerating or misrepresenting his symptoms and deliberately attempting to make himself unavailable.
The inquiry's most severe recommended ban preventing Imam-ul-Haq from representing Pakistan across all formats and at all levels. No such ban was ultimately imposed, however, and the batsman continued his international career.
Now more than a year later, the Lord's incident has inevitably revived that controversial episode. The circumstances are not identical, and no confirmed finding that Imam faked his latest injury, but the sight of him training on the sidelines after being ruled out has once again placed his fitness under scrutiny.
For Imam, what should have been a straightforward injury absence has instead reopened one of the most uncomfortable chapters of his Pakistan career.