Imam unlikely to play rest of Lord’s Test after picking up left calf tear
Imam ul Haq is unlikely to play the rest of Pakistan’s Lord’s Test against England after being diagnosed with a grade-1 tear in his left calf. He has been advised ten days of rest. Cricinfo has learned that Imam was taken for scans at stumps on day one of the ongoing Test, after which the […]
Imam ul Haq, the Pakistani batsman, is expected to miss the remainder of Pakistan's Lord’s Test against England due to a grade-1 tear in his left calf. The injury was confirmed after he was examined during the first day's stumps, and it became evident to the medical team. Imam was absent from the field after tea on the first day and has not played since, with Salman Agha stepping in as his replacement.
Imam did not attempt to bat in the first innings of day two, which ended after just 38 overs as Pakistan amassed a mere 110 runs in response to England's 290. On the second day, the team management confirmed the injury, stating that Imam's participation depended on his recovery from a "strain to his left calf muscle." Fast bowler Mohammad Ali declined to comment further on the matter, acknowledging that the team's medical panel was better equipped to address the issue.
Imam made a brief appearance before the start of the fourth day's play, wearing a heavily strapped left calf, but his movements were restricted, and he eventually limped off after a short stint at the crease. The injury originated during Imam's innings in the previous Test at Headingley, where Pakistan lost by an innings and 103 runs.
He required immediate attention from the team medical staff during the first innings and had his left calf strapped throughout his 42-run innings, during which he formed a 91-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique. Pakistan's prospects for the second innings are further dimmed by Imam's likely absence, as they face a challenging target to level the series, given England's commanding lead of 357 runs after the third day.
A defeat at Lord’s would be a significant blow for Pakistan, marking their ninth consecutive defeat in away Tests and their second consecutive series loss in England after the 1-0 loss on the 2020 Covid-era tour. The third and final Test of the series is scheduled to commence on September 9 in Birmingham, providing Imam with ample time to heal from his injury.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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