RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Stuart Broad has questioned Imam-ul-Haq’s decision to practise on the sidelines while carrying a calf injury during Pakistan’s second Test against England at Lord’s, accusing the batter of “putting on an act”. Imam was ruled out of the remainder of the Test after suffering a low-grade strain to his left calf while fielding on the opening day. The injury came after he had dropped two catches, and Pakistan were subsequently left a batter short for the rest of the match. The Pakistan opener did not bat in the second innings either, as his side collapsed to another heavy defeat and went 2-0 down in the three-Test series. Broad questions Imam’s injury routine
Ahead of play on Day 4, Imam was seen on the Lord’s sidelines knocking a ball around while wearing tape around his injured calf. He appeared to be hobbling as he went through some batting practice. There were suggestions from the Pakistan camp that Imam could potentially bat if his team needed him during the second innings. However, Broad was unimpressed by what he saw. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former England fast bowler suggested Imam’s public warm-up was designed to make a point rather than prepare him to bat. “That’s all for show. He has got a bit of stick from media and maybe his teammates. Whatever. You can do that inside the indoor school without anyone seeing, don’t have to come wearing shorts and tape and hobble around like that. I am not impressed with that. Sorry,” Broad said. Broad’s remarks added to questions surrounding Imam’s injury, particularly after former Pakistan batter and chief selector Mohammad Wasim had previously raised concerns over the opener’s injury history. Former Pakistan selector had raised concerns
Wasim previously alleged that Imam had faked injuries to avoid playing. Recalling an incident from 2022, Wasim said Pakistan’s physiotherapist had warned him that an injury involving Imam could become an issue even before an official decision had been made. According to Wasim, the player had previously been involved in similar situations, with coaches also raising concerns. The comments have now resurfaced after Imam was ruled out at Lord’s, although Pakistan’s management maintained that he was dealing with a calf strain. Pakistan suffer another batting collapse
Whatever the circumstances surrounding Imam’s injury, his absence was felt as Pakistan’s batting once again failed to put up a fight. Chasing an imposing 389 for victory, Pakistan slipped to 14/3 and were soon staring at another defeat. Saud Shakeel provided some resistance, putting together a 97-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shan Masood before taking on the England attack alongside the tail. Shakeel looked on course for a determined century but was dismissed for 97, falling to the short ball he had repeatedly attacked during his innings. His score accounted for more than half of Pakistan’s total as wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Ollie Robinson produced a decisive four-wicket burst, Josh Tongue cleaned up the tail with three wickets and Jofra Archer claimed two as England completed a comfortable victory by 194 runs after dismissing Pakistan for the same score. Pakistan’s batting struggles have now become one of the defining features of their tour of England, with the visitors losing both Tests and failing to find a consistent answer with the bat. Imam had made 42 and 0 in the opening Test at Leeds, which Pakistan lost by an innings and 53 runs. 133644701
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