Imam-ul-Haq Faces Lord’s Absence After Suffering Left Calf Strain
Imam-ul-Haq is unlikely to play again in Pakistan’s Lord’s Test against England after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 injury in his left calf. He has been told to rest for ten days. He had scans at the end of the first day of play, which revealed the extent of his injury.
Imam had already been forced to leave the pitch during the evening session on day one. On day two, he did not bat in Pakistan’s first innings, and Salman Agha took his place. Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in reply to England’s first-innings total of 290, putting the hosts in command as the match progressed.
What do the scans reveal, and what did the PCB say?
The PCB’s official communication verified a low-grade calf strain and stated that the medical panel would evaluate Imam’s development before making a final decision on his participation.
The board provided no particular rehabilitation schedule, and team management’s responses to enquiries regarding his situation were cautious.
The injury adds to Imam’s already challenging series. In the first Test at Headingley, he scored 42 runs in the first innings and formed a 91-run third-wicket stand with Abdullah Shafique, but Pakistan eventually lost by an innings and 103 runs. As of August 28, 2026, the PCB had not made any formal squad adjustments.
How does Imam’s absence affect Pakistan’s standing in the series?
England had a 357-run lead after the third day at Lord’s, putting Pakistan’s remaining batsmen under significant strain. The top order was already short-handed, with Imam unable to bat in the first innings, and the job of avoiding defeat fell to those who were still fit enough to play.
If Pakistan loses at Lord’s, England would win their first Test series since December 2024, extending Pakistan’s away record to nine defeats in their past 10 Tests in foreign conditions.
Pakistan previously faced England during the Covid-era tour in 2020, losing the series 1-0. The third and final Test of the current series is set to start on September 9 in Birmingham, and Imam’s fitness in the days between matches will be a major issue for Pakistan’s management as they prepare for that game.
