‘Should never play again’: Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq’s ‘all for show’ act in ‘appalling’ injury fake claim
Khan sons open up on jailed father | 16:40
Tim Miller from Fox SportsAugust 31st, 2026 7:26 am
England great Stuart Broad has blasted Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq for an “all for show” act while suffering from a calf injury.
Imam sustained the injury while batting during the first Test of the series at Headingley, which Pakistan lost by an innings and 103 runs, needing medical attention while scoring a first-innings 42.
It was further exacerbated while fielding on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s, leaving the 30-year old unable to bat in Pakistan’s first innings.
Watch every ball of the England vs Pakistan
Watch every ball of the England vs Pakistan Test Series live & exclusive on FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The team initially released a statement diagnosing the injury as a calf strain, but ahead of Day 4, revealed he had actually suffered a grade 1 tear.
Critics, most prominently former Pakistan selector Mohammad Wasim, had accused Imam of faking the injury.
The opener made a public appearance before
But the opener made a public appearance before the start of play on the fourth day, receiving some throwdowns and hobbling gingerly around the outfield with his taped left calf on full show.
“I was going to say this is encouraging signs for Pakistan, but looking at the way Imam is immobile, he’s just going to be a sitting duck,” commentator Ian Ward said on Sky Sports.
Former Pakistan women’s cricketer Urooj Mumtaz suggested the public demonstration may have been spurred by teammates or Pakistani hierarchy forcing him to attempt to play.
I don’t know if that is pressure
“I don’t know if that is pressure from whatever the noise has been outside, that he’s actually made an appearance out there,” she said.
“But that looks heavily strapped – at Jofra’s (Archer) pace, that could be one delivery done.”
Broad, however, was scathing.
“That is all for show,” he told Sky Sports.
“He’s had a bit of stick from the media, maybe teammates, whatever.
“You can do that in an indoor school without anyone seeing.
“You don’t have to wear shorts and a bit of tape and hobble around like that. I’m sorry, I’m not that impressed with that.”
Australian commentary doyen Jim Maxwell was just as disappointed.
“He should never play again,” Maxwell wrote on X.
While never officially ruled out of the Test,
While never officially ruled out of the Test, Imam didn’t bat in the second innings, with Pakistan losing three wickets inside eight overs and eventually bowled out for 194 to lose by 194 runs.
Former Pakistan selector Wasim had claimed midway through the Test that Imam’s injury wasn’t all that it appeared, saying the team’s physio had warned him ahead of another injury sustained during a 2022 Test against England in Multan.
“The physio had actually come to me and told me beforehand,” Wasim said on his YouTube channel of the 2022 Imam incident.
The announcement hadn’t even been made yet,
“The announcement hadn’t even been made yet, and the decision hadn’t even been made.
“I think the player hadn’t said anything either. He came and warned me that this was going to happen. And it happened exactly like that.
“I think we need to get rid of such characters, because look at the message this sends to everyone else inside the team. What precedent are you setting?”
Seamer Ollie Robinson was adjudged player
Seamer Ollie Robinson was adjudged player of the match for the second Test in a row after taking four wickets in each innings.
He has 16 wickets for the series at a staggering average of just 7.19, having also claimed eight wickets in the first Test at Headingley.
Victory gives England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the third Test beginning at Edgbaston on September 9.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
