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, sources said. The sources stated that Imam faced charges of faking injuries, leaking dressing room information, and breaching team discipline. 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 intervened and met officials to recommend that no ban be imposed.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is conducting forensic and technical analysis of mobile phones belonging to Imam and his fellow dropped player Mohammad Rizwan, the sources added. The investigation is primarily focused on financial matters and suspected transactions involving both players. The sources noted that the financial dealings of Imam and Rizwan before and after the England Test series were under examination, with their bank accounts under strict scrutiny.

Any suspicious transactions identified will be traced to determine the source of funds and the destination of transfers. Suspected payments by any company, individual, or organisation are also being scrutinised. Messages, contacts, and other digital information from their phones are undergoing forensic analysis, with recovered data being linked to the inquiry into their financial transactions.

These developments follow Pakistan's dismal performance in the England Test series, where the team suffered 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 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.