Aaqib Javed to probe Imam‑ul‑Haq’s injury, defends Pakistan’s Test shake‑up

Aaqib Javed, the PCB’s director of high performance, has promised to “take action” against Imam‑ul‑Haq, who did not come out to bat in either innings of the second Test at Lord’s.

According to a media release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board on August 28, Imam “sustained a strain to his left calf muscle while fielding on the opening day” of the Lord’s Test. Although he came out for knocking, wearing shorts with his leg heavily strapped, and drew scathing criticism from Stuart Broad, his absence from the batting line‑up placed an immense burden on an already struggling touring party.

Broad was unrelenting in his criticism and tore into Imam for putting on a “show”.

“That is all for show,” he told Sky Sports. “He’s had a bit of stick from the media, maybe teammates, whatever.

“You can do that in an indoor school without anyone seeing.

“You don’t have to wear shorts and a bit of tape and hobble around like that. I’m sorry, I’m not that impressed with that.”

Speaking to Pakistan’s broadcast network Geo, Aaqib argued that Imam should have made a conscious effort to bat despite the injury, pointing out that several players in the past have pushed through similar setbacks.

“The Imam injury is a big question mark, and a deep disappointment,” Aaqib said. “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. 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.”

Aaqib defended the PCB’s sweeping overhaul, insisting that when players fail to deliver on tour, the selectors are left with no option but to make decisive changes.

"When we select the team as coach or captain and make a squad, we're responsible for that squad. But once they go on tour, we cannot do anything about the match-to-match combination," Aaqib said in an interaction with Geo. "No one doubted these players' performances when selected. But when players are completely out of form, and you're not competing at all, then we needed to make a decision. When you're not making the right decisions despite getting messages conveyed to you to play the right combination [that's a problem]. Your captain, head coach and management have some responsibilities."