LAHORE: An inquiry report by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) into national batter Imam-ul-Haq’s reported injury during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in March 2025 has surfaced, with sources claiming that the investigation held the cricketer responsible for allegedly faking the injury.
According to sources, Imam-ul-Haq was struck on the foot by a ball during a net session on March 28, 2025. However, an X-ray reportedly found no evidence of a fracture.
The inquiry committee allegedly noted that the black mark visible on Imam’s toe was not caused by natural bleeding and claimed it appeared to have been made with ink or a marker.
Sources said Imam denied before the committee that he had applied any artificial substance to his toe. However, the committee reportedly rejected his explanation, stating that it was inconsistent with the medical evidence and X-ray findings.
The report also allegedly claimed that Imam was observed limping while under supervision but walked normally when he was out of sight of those monitoring him.
According to the sources, doctors had advised him against walking, but he nevertheless walked approximately 500 metres and also attended an iftar dinner.
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The inquiry committee reportedly concluded that there was no medical basis for declaring Imam unfit for the first ODI against New Zealand.
Sources further claimed that the committee recommended a ban on Imam representing Pakistan across all formats. The allegation against the batter was that he wanted to avoid opening on New Zealand’s fast and challenging pitches.
However, the PCB subsequently forgave Imam, according to the sources, allowing him to become eligible for selection again.
The resurfacing of the inquiry report has also raised questions about Imam’s latest injury. Despite the team needing his services on the previous day, Imam did not come out to bat.
He had suffered a calf injury during the Lord’s Test, and the latest setback has attracted additional scrutiny because of the allegations surrounding his previous injury during the New Zealand tour.
The claims contained in the inquiry report have been attributed to sources, and the allegations against Imam-ul-Haq should be distinguished from independently established medical findings or a publicly confirmed PCB disciplinary decision.
