Imam injury revives old PCB inquiry

The development has brought renewed attention to an incident during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in March 2025, when a PCB inquiry committee reportedly held Imam responsible for allegedly misrepresenting an injury. The incident reportedly occurred on March 28, 2025, when a ball struck Imam’s right big toe during an indoor net session.

An X-ray reportedly showed no evidence of a fracture or dislocation. Imam later complained of severe pain and discoloration, the report said.

Despite medical staff advising him against walking, Imam allegedly walked about 500 metres to attend an iftar gathering, the report said., a team doctor later cleaned Imam’s toe with chemically treated paper, after which the alleged black mark disappeared. The committee reportedly concluded that the substance removed from Imam’s toe was not a natural blood mark but ink or marker.

Imam denied using ink or any artificial substance on his toe when questioned by the committee,. The committee reportedly found his explanation inconsistent with the medical evidence, the X-ray findings and the appearance of the toe.

Team officials also appeared to limp while under observation but walked normally when he was out of their sight. The inquiry committee reportedly concluded that there was no medical basis for declaring Imam unfit for Pakistan’s first ODI against New Zealand.

It held him responsible for allegedly fabricating, exaggerating or misrepresenting his symptoms and misleading medical staff,. The committee also concluded that Imam had deliberately attempted to make himself unavailable for the opening ODI.The committee reportedly recommended that Imam be banned from representing Pakistan across all formats and at all levels.

The inquiry committee described the episode as deliberate, pre-planned and deceptive. The controversy also reportedly included allegations that Imam wanted to avoid opening the batting on New Zealand’s pace-friendly and challenging pitches. Now, with Imam sidelined by another injury in England, the findings of the 2025 inquiry have once again come under discussion.

The report said, citing sources, that the PCB is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding his latest injury, particularly in light of the earlier inquiry. The PCB has not publicly detailed any new investigation into Imam’s latest injury.