Earlier than the beginning of the second day’s play at Lord’s, the group administration had mentioned that Imam’s participation within the match trusted his remedy from a “pressure to his left calf muscle”, and quick bowler Mohammad Ali sidestepped the query after stumps on day three. “I would not have the ability to let you know something about it,” he advised reporters. “I’m conscious of his standing, however the group’s medical panel is healthier positioned to reply you higher.”
Imam did come out earlier than the beginning of the fourth day’s play and confronted a number of mild throwdowns, along with his left calf closely strapped. He appeared restricted in his actions whereas batting and limped again after a short time with members of the assist workers round him.
Imam picked up the harm whereas batting within the Headingley Take a look at, which Pakistan misplaced by an innings and 103 runs. He wanted on-field consideration from the group medical panel throughout the first innings and had his left calf strapped over the course of his 42-run innings by which he struck a partnership price 91 runs with Abdullah Shafique for the third wicket after which Pakistan crumbled for 171.
Imam’s possible unavailability for the second innings can be an additional blow for Pakistan who’re gazing a steep goal to degree the collection with England boasting a 357-run lead after the third day. A defeat at Lord’s will give England their first Take a look at collection win since December 2024, and Pakistan’s ninth defeat of their final ten away Exams. It could additionally mark Pakistan’s second consecutive Take a look at collection defeat in England after the misplaced 1-0 on the Covid-era tour in 2020.
The third and final Take a look at of the collection begins on September 9 in Birmingham, offering sufficient time to Imam to recuperate from the harm.
