Pakistan have faced a major setback ahead of their run chase in the Lord's Test against England. Opener Imam-ul-Haq had sustained a strain in his left calf muscle while fielding on Day 1 of the second Test. He was taken for scans where a low grade calf strain was confirmed. He did not walk out to bat in the first innings and is ruled out of the rest of Lord's Test as well, as per a report by ESPNCricinfo.
Ali was replaced by Salman Agha has substitute for the rest of England's first innings and the ongoing second innings. In his absence, Shan Masood opened the innings and was dismissed for a single-digit score by Jofra Archer. He did not walk out to bat at no.11 and the visitors were bowled out for 110.
England had a 357-run lead at the end of Day 3’s play. They are set to post a daunting target for the visitors to chase. Pakistan have never crossed the 250-run mark in the fourth innings of a Test on England soil.
Imam's injury raises questions
Imam’s absence has sparked controversy as well. In the past, several batters have turned up to bat despite being injured. Pakistan were 110/9 inside 38 overs but Imam still did not walk out to bat.
After Day 3’s play, Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali tried to dodge the question about Imam’s injury.
"I wouldn't be able to tell you anything about it," he told reporters. "I am aware of his status, but the team's medical panel is better placed to answer you better."
Pakistan's former chief selector Mohammad Wasim had accused Imam of faking an injury. He alleged that he had done the same in Multan Test against England in 2022. He did not open in the run chase and batted at no.5 in a losing cause.
The only recent example of a batter not walking out to bat in the run chase due to injury is Indian captain Shubman Gill who suffered a neck injury in the Eden Gardens Test against South Africa last year.
Another defeat for Pakistan around the corner?
On Day 4, once again, Masood is expected to open the innings alongside young Azan Awais who had scored 46 in the first innings. The highest successful run chase at Lord’s is 344 and the current Pakistan side is unlikely to break it. If they lost the second Test, they will lose the series as well ahead of Edgbaston Test.