Lahore, September 13, 2026: Pakistan Test opener Imam-ul-Haq is likely to face a ban after authorities prepared an initial report against him over allegations of a suspicious injury during the England Test series, dressing-room leaks and disciplinary violations, a news channel reported on Sunday, citing sources.
According to the sources, Imam has been accused of faking an injury, leaking dressing-room information and violating team discipline.
His previous case has also reportedly been reopened, with the sources saying the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier raised questions over an injury he sustained during the New Zealand tour ahead of the England series.
Following an earlier inquiry, a two-year ban had reportedly been recommended against the opener. However, a former head coach, former selector and former captain subsequently met officials and recommended that no ban be imposed.
Meanwhile, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is conducting forensic and technical analysis of mobile phones belonging to Imam and fellow dropped player Mohammad Rizwan, according to the sources.
The investigation is reportedly focused primarily on financial matters and suspected transactions involving the two players.
The sources said financial dealings of Imam and Rizwan before and after the England Test series were being examined, with their bank accounts also under scrutiny. Any suspicious transactions identified during the investigation would be traced to determine the source and destination of funds.
Payments allegedly made by companies, individuals or organisations are also being examined. Messages, contacts and other digital information recovered from their mobile phones are reportedly undergoing forensic analysis and being linked with the inquiry into their financial transactions.
The developments follow Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the England Test series, with the national team suffering an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test and a 194-run loss at Lord’s in the second.
After the Lord’s defeat, the PCB took emergency measures, releasing seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released.
Earlier, the PCB had sought a written explanation from a member of the selection committee over the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam in the Test squads for the West Indies and England tours. A formal notice was issued on August 31 with reference to a selection meeting held on June 2.
Rizwan, 34, who has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20Is, reportedly contacted the PCB before appearing before the NCCIA. He subsequently travelled from London to Islamabad after being dropped from the squad.
