Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq is facing fresh questions after reports claimed that he was accused of faking an injury during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in 2025.

The allegation comes at a difficult time for the left-handed batter. Imam recently missed the second Test against England at Lord’s after suffering a calf strain. His decision not to bat became a major talking point. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad also accused him of “putting on an act” after seeing him practise with his injured leg taped.

However, the latest controversy is about an older incident. A reported PCB inquiry into an incident during Pakistan’s 2025 New Zealand tour allegedly found Imam responsible for faking an injury or making it look worse than it was. The inquiry committee reportedly recommended a ban that could have kept him away from Pakistan cricket at all levels and in all formats.

Imam-ul-Haq Alleged Toe Injury Incident

According to a Geo News report, which several other publications also carried, the incident happened on March 28, 2025, during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand.

Imam reportedly hurt his right toe and complained of serious pain and discolouration. However, an X-ray showed no fracture or major medical problem in the toe.

The situation became more serious when Imam was told not to walk. Despite this, he allegedly walked around 500 metres to attend an iftar gathering.

The biggest allegation was about the colour on his toe.

According to the reported inquiry findings, team officials saw a black mark on Imam’s toe. The team doctor then cleaned the area with chemically treated paper. The mark allegedly disappeared after the cleaning.

The inquiry report reportedly said the mark looked like ink or marker, rather than a natural blood mark.

The inquiry also heard that Imam limped when medical staff were around him but walked normally when they were not nearby.

Imam denied the allegations. However, the committee found his explanation difficult to accept because of the medical evidence and other information given during the inquiry.

PCB Inquiry Recommended a Ban

The reported inquiry made serious claims against Imam.

The committee allegedly found that there was no medical reason to declare Imam unfit for Pakistan’s upcoming ODIs. It accused him of faking, making his symptoms look worse or giving wrong information about his injury.

The report also allegedly said that Imam had tried to make himself unavailable for the first ODI.

The biggest recommendation was a ban from representing Pakistan in all formats and at all levels.

However, Imam did not receive the full ban.

This has now become another part of the debate around his recent injury controversy.

Stuart Broad’s Lord’s Comments Bring Old Claims Back

Stuart Broad took Imam-ul-Haq to the absolute cleaners. He deserves every bit of it. pic.twitter.com/vvtJqXz436

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) August 30, 2026

Imam’s recent situation at Lord’s has brought the old allegations back into discussion.

Imam missed the second Test against England after Pakistan’s medical team diagnosed him with a calf strain. Later, footage showed him practising with tape around his calf. He also appeared to limp during the session.

Broad questioned why Imam was showing his injury so clearly while practising.

“That’s all for show,” Broad said on Sky Sports while questioning Imam’s decision to practise in shorts with his injured leg taped.

However, Broad’s comments do not prove that Imam faked his calf injury.

Pakistan’s medical team had diagnosed him with a low-grade calf strain.

The situation became a bigger talking point because Pakistan were already playing with one batter short and Imam did not bat in the Test.

Pakistan eventually lost the Lord’s Test by 194 runs. England also took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

ALSO READ: Stuart Broad Accuses Imam-ul-Haq of Acting as Other Cricket Voices Question His Commitment

Mohammad Wasim Also Raised Questions

Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim had also spoken about concerns around Imam before the latest controversy.

Wasim recalled an incident from his time with Pakistan cricket in 2022. He said the team physiotherapist had warned him about Imam allegedly using injuries as a reason to avoid playing.

According to Wasim, the physiotherapist told him about the concern before the team made an official decision. Wasim then said that things happened in the same way he had been warned.

He also claimed that coaches had raised similar concerns in the past.

These remain allegations and have not been proven as facts. However, they have received fresh attention after the details of the New Zealand inquiry and the incident at Lord’s.

Was Imam ul Haq Really Injured at Lord’s?

This is an important point.

The New Zealand inquiry and the current Lord’s controversy are two different incidents.

There is no confirmed evidence that Imam faked his calf injury at Lord’s. Pakistan’s medical team diagnosed him with a calf strain. Broad mainly questioned the way Imam behaved during his practice session.

The new allegations relate to the separate 2025 New Zealand incident. In that case, the PCB inquiry questioned whether Imam’s toe injury was genuine and how serious it really was.

Because of this, criticism of Imam’s behaviour should not automatically be taken as proof that he faked his current injury.

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Why the Allegations Are Important for Imam ul Haq?

The inquiry is important because the allegations go beyond simply missing a match.

The committee believed that Imam had given wrong information about his fitness and had misled medical staff. It also recommended a ban from Pakistan cricket.

Such allegations can be serious for an international player. Team doctors and selectors need players to give honest information about their fitness.

The Lord’s controversy has now brought back questions about Imam’s commitment and availability.

For now, the most serious claims remain allegations from the inquiry, while Imam has denied any wrongdoing. Broad’s comments and Mohammad Wasim’s earlier claims have also brought more attention to the issue.

The PCB inquiry took place in 2025, but its allegations are now back in the spotlight.

The controversy surrounding Imam-ul-Haq and Pakistan cricket is once again growing.

What do you think? Did Imam ul Haq fake his injury in New Zealand? Comment your opinion below.

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