Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq is unlikely to play any further part in the Lord’s Test after a left calf strain. He hurt himself while fielding on the first day and left the field during the evening session.
Scans taken after play showed a low-grade muscle injury, and he has been advised to rest for roughly ten days.
Absent when Pakistan batted
Imam did not come out when Pakistan began their first innings on day two. Salman Agha had taken his place in the field as a substitute. Pakistan were bowled out for 110, trailing badly after England had made 290.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said the injury was a low-grade calf strain and that the team’s medical panel would keep monitoring him before deciding anything about his availability. When asked about the opener’s status, team management was careful, saying the medical staff were best placed to give an update.
A tough series for the opener
The setback adds to a difficult series. In the first Test at Headingley, Imam made 42 in the first innings and put on 91 with Abdullah Shafique, but Pakistan still lost by an innings and 103 runs.
England were in a commanding position at Lord’s, and without Imam Pakistan’s batting looks even thinner as they try to fight back.
The third and final Test starts in Birmingham on 9 September. Whether Imam is fit for it may depend on how quickly he responds to rest and treatment, and Pakistan’s management will watch his progress closely.
