Imam-ul-Haq ruled out of Lord's Test with grade-1 left calf tear
Synopsis
Imam-ul-Haq's grade-1 calf tear has effectively ended his participation in the Lord's Test, leaving Pakistan a man short as they stare down a 357-run deficit. With replacements barred under ICC rules and Mohammad Ali appealing to cricket's capacity for miracles, Pakistan's survival hopes rest on belief as much as batting.
Key Takeaways
Imam-ul-Haq has a confirmed grade-1 tear in his left calf and is unlikely to bat in the remainder of the Lord's Test .
He first injured the calf at Headingley during a 42-run innings and did not bat in Pakistan's first innings at Lord's, where they were dismissed for 110 .
Salman Agha has replaced him as a fielding substitute; ICC rules do not permit a batting replacement for non-concussion injuries.
England ended Day 3 at 177 for 7 , with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 50 and a 357-run lead.
Fast bowler Mohammad Ali called for a 'miracle' from the batting group, noting that chases of 350-400 have been completed in Test cricket before.
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq is unlikely to bat again in the ongoing second Test against England at Lord's after scans confirmed a grade-1 tear in his left calf, a blow that leaves the already-struggling visitors a player short in a match they are on the verge of losing.
How the injury unfolded
Imam first suffered the blow while batting in the first innings of the first Test at Headingley, where he required medical assistance during his 42-run outing and had his left calf strapped. The injury worsened at Lord's — he left the field after tea on Day 1 and did not return to bat as Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in reply to England's 290. Salman Agha has been deputising for him in the field.
What the scans revealed
Scans conducted after Day 1 confirmed the severity of the injury, according to reports. Pakistan's team management subsequently acknowledged that Imam's participation for the remainder of the match depended on his response to treatment for what they described as a 'strain to his left calf muscle.' Fast bowler Mohammad Ali, speaking to the media at the close of Day 3, declined to offer a prognosis. 'I wouldn't be able to tell you anything about it,' he said. 'I am aware of his status, but the team's medical panel is better placed to answer you better.'
Pakistan's uphill battle at Lord's
The injury compounds Pakistan's dire position in the match. England ended the rain-affected Day 3 at 177 for 7, with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 50, giving the hosts a commanding 357-run lead. Under International Cricket Council (ICC) playing conditions, replacements are permitted only for concussion-related injuries, meaning Pakistan must field with one man down if Imam cannot take the field.
Mohammad Ali's 'miracle' appeal
Despite the grim arithmetic, Mohammad Ali struck an optimistic note after the third day's play. 'Miracles do happen in cricket. We can only hope at this time and try and encourage the batting group,' he said. He added: 'It'll be a difficult task but not impossible. Until the last ball is bowled in cricket, you can't make predictions. The Test still has a way to run. 350-400 has been chased in the past, too. It's all about mindset and belief. Conditions are tough, but we'll have to face that challenge and find a way out to get runs.' Pakistan will need exactly that kind of resolve — and then some — to avoid a heavy defeat at the home of cricket.
Point of View
Not the story — Pakistan's 110 all out is. A grade-1 calf tear is painful but manageable; a 357-run deficit with a depleted batting line-up is not. The ICC's concussion-only replacement rule is sensible in principle, but it does expose teams to compounding misfortune when a pre-existing injury deteriorates mid-match. More pressingly, this Test will sharpen questions about Pakistan's top-order fragility on English conditions — a structural problem that no fitness update can fix.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury has Imam-ul-Haq suffered at Lord's?
Imam-ul-Haq has a confirmed grade-1 tear in his left calf, which scans after Day 1 of the Lord's Test revealed. The injury makes him unlikely to bat in the remainder of the second Test against England.
When did Imam-ul-Haq first get hurt?
He first sustained the calf injury during his 42-run innings in the first Test at Headingley, where he needed medical attention and had the calf strapped. The injury worsened at Lord's, forcing him off the field after tea on Day 1.
Can Pakistan bring in a replacement for Imam-ul-Haq?
No. Under ICC playing conditions, a like-for-like replacement is only permitted for concussion injuries. Since Imam's injury is a calf tear, Pakistan must continue with the remaining squad members and are effectively one batter short.
What is Pakistan's position in the Lord's Test?
Pakistan are in a desperate position, having been bowled out for 110 in their first innings in reply to England's 290. England ended Day 3 at 177 for 7, holding a 357-run lead with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 50.
What did Mohammad Ali say about Pakistan's chances?
Fast bowler Mohammad Ali acknowledged the scale of the challenge but remained outwardly optimistic, saying 'miracles do happen in cricket' and pointing out that chases of 350-400 runs have been achieved in Test cricket before. He urged the batting group to back their mindset and belief.
