Pakistan Times | Islamabad Times

Date: August 30, 2026

Imam-ul-Haq Faces Backlash for Skipping Batting Over Minor Injury at Lord's

Pakistan's opening batter Imam-ul-Haq is facing sharp criticism after he cited a minor injury to avoid coming out to bat during the ongoing Lord's Test against England.

Amir Says Imam Wronged the Team and Pakistan"

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir did not hold back in an interview, saying Imam-ul-Haq should have come out to bat regardless of the discomfort. Amir pointed out that cricketers in the past have batted even with fractured arms, and argued that even if Imam couldn't play his usual shots, simply holding one end and staying at the crease would have made a significant difference for the team.

Amir went further, stating that if Imam was genuinely injured to the extent that he couldn't play at all, he should not have taken the field in the first place. He said Imam's decision wronged both the team and the country, adding that the nature of the injury was not severe enough to rule out batting altogether.

Drawing on his own experience, Amir revealed that he had played matches despite hamstring issues, stressing there is a world of difference between a calf strain and a hamstring injury. He explained that when a team is in a do-or-die situation and fighting to save a series, players are expected to take risks — comparing the moment to a drowning man clutching at straws.

Former Chief Selector Alleges "Fake Injury"

Adding to the controversy, former chief selector Mohammad Wasim accused Imam-ul-Haq of faking the injury during the Lord's Test, saying this kind of "drama" has happened before within the team.

A History of Playing Through Pain

Critics have pointed out that numerous cricketers throughout history have set examples by batting with broken fingers and fractured bones, making Imam's decision to sit out over what was later confirmed as a minor strain particularly hard to defend. The opener had complained of discomfort in his calf, and when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) got him scanned, the results reportedly showed only a minor strain.

Imam's nervous approach on the field, handing the strike to debutant Azan Awais, and citing injury as an excuse have all drawn intense criticism from cricket circles.

A Struggling Recent Record

Adding to the scrutiny, Imam's form in the second innings of his last eight Test matches has also come under the spotlight. He has crossed double figures only twice in that span, managing just 45 runs at an average of 5.5. He has also dropped key catches in the slips during this period, further fueling questions about his place in the side.

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