Bad News for Pakistan! Imam-ul-Haq RULED out of ENG vs PAK Lord’s Test - Reports
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Imam-ul-Haq did not bat during the first innings of the Lord’s Test.
England and Pakistan are locking horns in a three-match Test series, with the contest carrying significance for their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign, though both teams do not stand much of a chance of making the cut required for qualification. Moreover, either of the teams is going through a phase of transition, with Babar Azam and Joe Root returning to captaincy for their respective sides.
The series began at Headingley, where England produced a dominant performance to take an early lead in the series. Before the start of the series, England and Pakistan entered the series in the lower half of the table, with England seventh and Pakistan eighth in the points table. After their humiliating defeat in Headingley, Pakistan have now slipped to the bottom most position in the points table.
The second Test began at Lord’s, and Pakistan had arrived with sheer motivation to bounce back, as their captain, Babar Azam, was fit and available to star in the second match of the series after missing series opener due to injury. England, meanwhile, were aiming to build on their impressive opening in the series and seal a victory before they arrived at Edgbaston for the final match.
Imam-ul-Haq ruled out after calf injury – Reports
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Amid the ENG vs PAK 3rd Test, Pakistan suffered another major setback, with Imam-ul-Haq ruled out of the remainder of the Lord’s Test after having sustained a low-grade calf strain, as per reports in ESPNCricinfo. The left-handed Pakistani opener suffered the injury while fielding on Day 1 of the Test.
Scans subsequently confirmed that the strain was due to a left calf tear, after which he began his treatment under Pakistan’s medical team’s supervision. He did not come out to bat during Pakistan’s first innings, as former captain Shan Masood was promoted to open the innings.
The PCB initially stated that Imam’s participation in the remainder of the Test would depend on the status of his recovery; however, after the match progressed through Day 3, he was nowhere to be seen and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the Test.
His absence would particularly damage Pakistan’s chances in the match, as the batting has already struggled throughout this series. They were bowled out for 171 and 136 in the first Test and then were dismissed for just 110 at Lord’s in the first innings.
Currently, Pakistan have just two wins in seven WTC matches and a PCT of 19.05%, and Imam’s injury adds to their concerns in an already difficult campaign. The reports have confirmed that the doctors have advised him to take a rest period of 10 days, which keeps his timeline for return around 9th September.
The Edgbaston Test starts on the 9th, and after a 10-day-long rest period and no practice, Imam-ul-Haq might miss out on the final match of the series as well.
Did Imam-ul-haq play the first ENG vs PAK Test in Headingley?
Yes, Imam-ul-Haq played in the first Test against England at Headingley in August 2026.
Will Imam-ul-haq play the third ENG vs PAK Test in Edgbaston?
Imam-ul-Haq’s participation in the third Test at Edgbaston is currently uncertain as he recovers from a left calf tear.
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