Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim has claimed that all-rounder Imad Wasim, who recently reversed his decision to retire from international cricket and has been selected for the T20 World Cup, has been hiding a chronic knee injury, pretending it is a rib problem.
Imad announced his retirement from international cricket in November 2023 but reversed this decision in March following a stellar season in the Pakistan Super League.
He was selected for Pakistan’s home T20I series against New Zealand a month later and was included in the squad for the England, Ireland and T20 World Cup, being held in the West Indies and the USA.
The all-rounder missed Pakistan’s final T20I against England for "precautionary reasons" due to a suspected rib injury, which also caused him to miss the team’s first match in the World Cup against the USA. In a statement, the PCB described his injury as "discomfort in his right rib cage".
He was deemed fit a day before the India-Pakistan clash.
He bowled three overs, giving away 17 runs but his innings with the bat (15 off 23) shifted the momentum back towards India, who ultimately won by six runs.
Wasim, who was the national selector of Pakistan from 2020 to December 2022, alleged that Imad is carrying and has been hiding a knee injury.
“A lot of revelations will come out. They won't stay hidden. If you're claiming a rib injury, and it's actually a knee injury... It's a long-standing injury that you can see while running between the wickets, while bowling, and while fielding," he said on a local news channel.
“When you'll compromise on things, be it fitness or quality, just for the sake of experience...those who prefer the financial side of the game over their country, you keep bringing them back. What kind of an environment will the team have?
“Everyone's talking how the team had unity two years back – there was unity, and there were results. Some characters weren't there, you've brought back in those characters. The team's result is in front of you, and the team environment too," he added.
It must be noted Pakistan still have a chance to qualify for the Super 8s if they win their remaining matches, against Canada and Ireland, and hope other results go their way.
- Imad Wasim
