Aaqib Javed blasts Imam-ul-Haq over Lord's injury absence

The director of high performance of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Aaqib Javed, has launched an attack on their opening batter, Imam-ul-Haq, as he criticized him for not batting in either innings of the second Test at Lord’s, while promising to take action against the left-handed batter.

Imam, the 30-year-old, has smashed 1865 runs in 58 innings of the Test format at an average of 34.53, thanks to his three centuries and 11 half-centuries at the best score of 157. In the opening Test against England at Headingley, he got 42 in the first innings and a duck in the second.

PCB's Aaqib Javed demands inquiry, says Imam "should have tried and fought"

During a recent interaction with the Pakistani broadcast network Geo, Aaqib said that he had been very disappointed in the player. He also said that Imam would have to face an inquiry for his decision, which was due to the low-grade calf tear.

“The Imam injury is a big question mark and a deep disappointment. Players in the past used to get injuries, but they used to put on casts and still tried to play. We'll take action against this.” Aaqib expressed about Imam-ul-Haq in a statement.

“How is it possible that a pulled muscle ruled you out of batting in both innings? He should have tried and fought. He'll have to face an inquiry; I can't say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether.” He revealed.

Aaqib explained that drastic actions such as sweeping the coaching panel mid-series would continue to be taken. He said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wanted to send a message to the recalled players, without blaming the management.

“Two Test matches have come and gone, and the team has not competed in any way. There's one Test still to go. They [the management] had a pace allrounder available, a second wicketkeeper, a fast bowler in Ubai Shah. But those decisions were not being made.” Javed added in the discussion.

How Imam-ul-Haq's calf injury kept him out of both innings at Lord's

Imam was ruled out of both innings at Lord’s after medical scans confirmed the Grade 1 tear in his left calf muscle. He felt discomfort and pulled up while fielding during the final session on the opening day’s play. The medical panel advised the batter to take 10 days of complete rest, making it impossible for him to run between the two ends.

On the fourth morning of the Test match, he walked out to the Lord’s outfield wearing shorts with his left calf strapped. He took a few throwdowns from the support staff and looked restricted in his movement and limped back to the hut.

The public backfired when the former fast bowler of England, Stuart Broad, accused Imam of ‘putting on an act' during the Test match. Javed questioned the depth of Imam’s injury, which stated that it was a ‘matter of great concern.’