- Authorities prepare initial report against Imam: sources.
- Former officials helped Imam escape previous ban: sources.
- NCCIA conducting forensic analysis of Imam’s mobile phone.
LAHORE: Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq is likely to face a ban after the authorities prepared an initial report against him over allegations of a suspicious injury during the England Test series, dressing room leaks and disciplinary violations, sources told Truth Wire on Sunday.
The sources said Imam faced charges of faking injuries, leaking dressing room information and breaching team discipline.
His previous file has also been reopened, with the sources saying the board had harboured suspicions about an injury he sustained during the New Zealand tour before the England series.
Following a prior inquiry, a two-year ban had been recommended against the opener, but a former head coach, a former selector and a former captain had intervened and met officials to recommend that no ban be imposed.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is conducting forensic and technical analysis of mobile phones belonging to Imam and his fellow dropped player Mohammad Rizwan, the sources said. The investigation is primarily focused on financial matters and suspected transactions involving both players.
The sources said the financial dealings of Imam and Rizwan before and after the England Test series were under examination, with their bank accounts under scrutiny. Any suspicious transactions identified would be traced to determine the source of funds and destination of transfers.
Suspected payments by any company, individual or organisation were also being scrutinised. Messages, contacts and other digital information from their phones were undergoing forensic analysis, with data recovered being linked to the inquiry into their financial transactions.
The developments followed Pakistan’s dismal performance in the England Test series, with the team suffering an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test and a 194-run loss at Lord’s in the second.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took emergency measures after the Lord’s defeat, releasing seven players including Rizwan, Imam, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
Earlier, the PCB had sought a written explanation from a selection committee member over the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam in the Test squads for the West Indies and England tours, issuing a formal notice on August 31 referencing a June 2 selection meeting.
Rizwan, 34, who has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20Is, reportedly contacted the PCB before appearing before the NCCIA and travelled from London to Islamabad after being dropped from the squad.
2026-09-13 17:17:00
