Imam-ul-Haq row: When PCB considered banning Pakistan batter in 2025

Imam-ul-Haq's latest injury controversy at Lord's has revived an old episode from Pakistan's 2025 tour of New Zealand. According to a report by Geo TV, a PCB inquiry had recommended severe disciplinary action against the batter, including a ban, over an alleged fake injury last year.

This time, during the second Test against England at Lord's, Imam suffered a low-grade left calf strain while fielding on the opening day. The PCB confirmed the injury after scans and ruled him out for the remainder of the match. Pakistan went on to lose by 194 runs as England took an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

The situation attracted attention when Imam was seen training on the sidelines despite being ruled out. Former England pacer Stuart Broad accused him of “putting on an act”, bringing his previous injury controversy back into focus.

Imam is now set to return to Pakistan on the first available flight from London after missing the Lord's Test. The PCB is also reportedly considering a high-level investigation into his injury amid questions over its seriousness.

THE TOE INJURY THAT TRIGGERED A PCB PROBE

The earlier episode occurred on March 28, 2025, during an indoor net session in New Zealand, when a ball struck Imam's right big toe. An X-ray reportedly showed no fracture or dislocation, although he later complained of pain and discolouration.

According to reports, Imam had been advised not to walk but subsequently walked around 500 metres to attend an iftar gathering. A PCB inquiry later examined the dark mark on his toe, which reportedly disappeared after a team doctor cleaned the area with chemically treated paper.

The committee reportedly concluded that the mark was ink or marker rather than natural blood. Imam denied using any artificial substance, but investigators allegedly found his explanation inconsistent with the medical evidence. Team officials also reportedly told the inquiry that he appeared to limp when under observation but walked normally when away from staff.

The committee ultimately concluded that there was no medical basis for declaring Imam unavailable for Pakistan's opening ODI against New Zealand. It reportedly accused him of fabricating, exaggerating or misrepresenting symptoms and deliberately attempting to make himself unavailable.

The most serious finding was its reported recommendation that Imam be banned from representing Pakistan across all formats and at all levels. No such ban was ultimately imposed, and he continued his international career.

The Lord's incident has now reopened those questions, although there is no established evidence that Imam faked his latest calf injury. The PCB has officially confirmed the strain.

For Imam, however, another injury controversy has inevitably brought an uncomfortable chapter from 2025 back into the spotlight.