LONDON, 31 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Former Australia batter David Warner has questioned Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq’s absence from the Lord’s Test due to injury, recalling a similar incident involving Australian spinner Nathan Lyon. Imam suffered a strain to his left calf while fielding on the opening day of the Test and was subsequently replaced in the field by Salman Ali Agha. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed that scans showed a low-grade calf strain and that the batter was receiving treatment from the team’s medical staff. However, Imam did not bat in either innings as Pakistan suffered a heavy 194-run defeat, allowing England to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. During pre-match analysis on the fourth day, Imam was seen training in shorts with medical tape around his injured leg and appeared to be limping. The footage prompted Warner to question whether the Pakistan opener had eventually come out to bat. “Did he come out and bat after all this?” Warner asked on X. Warner later explained that his question was based on his recollection of Nathan Lyon batting at Lord’s despite suffering a serious calf injury. “I remember Nathan Lyon batting at Lord’s with a 16cm tear in his calf and on crutches. This is why I ask the question,” Warner said. Former England pacer Stuart Broad also commented on Imam’s rehabilitation footage, questioning why the recovery work had been made so visible. Broad suggested that Imam could have carried out his rehabilitation away from public attention, particularly amid criticism surrounding his absence from the match. “That’s all for show,” Broad said, adding that the Pakistan batter could have completed his recovery work indoors without being seen.The comments from Warner and Broad have sparked discussion around Imam’s injury, rehabilitation and his decision not to bat during Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s.