Mohammad Wasim Accuses Imam-ul-Haq of Faking Calf Injury at Lord’s

Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim has accused opener Imam-ul-Haq of faking his calf injury during the second Test against England at Lord’s, questioning the batter’s fitness history as Pakistan’s top order collapsed without him.

Imam picked up a left calf strain while fielding on the opening day at Lord’s, forcing him off the field during Thursday’s evening session. The PCB later confirmed the extent of the injury through an official statement. He did not bat in Pakistan’s second innings, a collapse to 110 all out that left the tourists facing a 261-run deficit heading into Day 3.

What Mohammad Wasim Said

Wasim, who served as Pakistan’s chief selector before his position changed, made the allegation amid growing questions over Imam’s fitness setback during the Lord’s Test. His comments point to a pattern he says he has observed in Imam’s injury history, suggesting the calf strain was not the isolated fitness issue it was presented as.

The PCB’s statement on the injury did not address Wasim’s claim, and the board has not issued any further comment specifically responding to the allegation.

Why the Timing Made the Allegation Land Harder

Imam’s absence from Pakistan’s second innings came at the worst possible moment. England had already dismissed Pakistan for 110 in their first innings, with Ollie Robinson taking 4 for 11 and Jofra Archer adding 3 for 26. Losing an established opener to injury on top of that batting performance left Pakistan’s top order even thinner than the scorecard already suggested.

Shan Masood was shunted up the order to open in Imam’s place, lasting only a handful of overs against Archer’s pace before Pakistan’s innings folded. Whether Imam’s presence would have changed that outcome is unknowable, but his absence removed one of the few batters in the XI with recent international experience opening the innings in English conditions.

Imam-ul-Haq’s Recent Form and Fitness History

Imam has played a significant role for Pakistan across formats in recent years, and his fitness has occasionally come under scrutiny during periods of poor form. Wasim’s comments have reopened a broader conversation about how selectors and team management assess genuine injury against convenient timing, a debate that surfaces periodically in Pakistan cricket when senior players are struggling against high-quality bowling attacks.

The PCB’s official confirmation of the calf strain stands as the team’s position on the matter. No further medical details or scan results have been made public.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Mohammad Wasim say about Imam-ul-Haq? Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim accused Imam-ul-Haq of faking his calf injury during the second Test against England at Lord’s, questioning his fitness history amid the timing of the setback.

What injury did Imam-ul-Haq suffer at Lord’s? Imam sustained a left calf strain while fielding on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s, forcing him off the field. The PCB confirmed the injury in an official statement.

Did Imam-ul-Haq bat in Pakistan’s second innings at Lord’s? No. Imam did not bat as Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in their first innings, with Shan Masood moving up the order to open in his absence for the second innings.

Has the PCB responded to Mohammad Wasim’s allegation? The PCB’s statement on Imam’s injury did not address Wasim’s specific claim, and the board has not issued further public comment on the allegation.