Wasim Levels Explosive 'Fake Injury' Claim at Imam Amidst Lord's Setback
Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim has accused opener Imam-ul-Haq of feigning injuries, adding fire to a struggling Test series. The controversy erupted as Imam was sidelined from the Lord's Test with a verified calf strain.
Pakistan's embattled Test campaign against England has been engulfed in fresh controversy following explosive allegations from former chief selector Mohammad Wasim, who claims opener Imam-ul-Haq possesses a history of feigning injuries. This bombshell landed just as Imam was officially sidelined from the crucial second Test at Lord's due to a verified calf strain, deepening Pakistan's woes.
Imam-ul-Haq sustained a low-grade strain to his left calf muscle while fielding on the opening day of the Lord's encounter on August 27, 2026. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly confirmed the injury after scans, ruling the left-hander out for the remainder of the Test, a significant blow to their fragile top order.
Wasim, however, cast a long shadow over the incident with his startling public remarks, alleging a discernible pattern in Imam's career of faking injuries to sidestep matches. He specifically recalled a 2022 Test in Multan, claiming a team physio had pre-emptively warned him about Imam's impending feigned injury, which, according to Wasim, subsequently materialised.
These sensational accusations have ignited a firestorm around the Pakistan opener, even as his current injury stands clinically verified. The episode is an unwelcome distraction for a touring side already reeling from a chastening start to the series, having suffered a heavy innings and 103-run defeat in the first Test at Headingley.
At Lord's, the Pakistani batting lineup continued its struggles. After England posted a first-innings total of 290, thanks to Mohammad Abbas's four-wicket haul and Mohammad Ali's three, Pakistan capitulated for a paltry 110. England's pace battery, led by Ollie Robinson's devastating 4 for 11 and Jofra Archer's three wickets, ripped through the visitors.
Conceding a substantial 180-run lead, Pakistan watched as England further extended their dominance. By the close of Day 2, England had reached 81/3 in their second innings, building an imposing 261-run advantage, making a comeback an increasingly daunting prospect. Shan Masood opened the innings for Pakistan in Imam's absence.
This series, a vital part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, adds another layer of pressure on Pakistan to perform. While captain Babar Azam made his return at Lord's after missing the Headingley match due to a finger injury, the team faces an uphill battle against a dominant English side, with the swirling allegations against Imam-ul-Haq creating an unhelpful sideshow.
The cricketing world now watches closely to see how the PCB addresses Wasim's incendiary claims, and whether this off-field drama further derails Pakistan's efforts to salvage pride in the series.