Imam-ul-Haq has replaced injured Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Fakhar Zaman suffered an oblique injury against New Zealand. Star Pakistani batter Fakhar Zaman, who scored a century against India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old left-handed opener batter took to X on Thursday to confirm the development.
Pakistan’s hopes of defending their Champions Trophy title have taken a significant dent with opener Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with an oblique injury. Imam-ul-Haq has been approved by the ICC as Fakhar’s replacement.
Pakistan’s Opener Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out Of Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan’s star opener, Fakhar Zaman, has officially confirmed that he has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Reports had already suggested that Zaman would not be travelling with the Pakistan squad to Dubai for the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash. On Thursday, the left-handed batter took to platform X to make the announcement official.
“Representing Pakistan on the biggest stage is an honour and dream of every cricketer in this country. I have been privileged enough to represent Pakistan multiple times with pride. Unfortunately I’m now out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but surely Allah is the best planner. Grateful for the opportunity. I will be backing our boys in green from home. This is only just the beginning, the comeback will be stronger than the setback. Pakistan Zindabad,” Fakhar tweeted.
It has been reported that Fakhar is out due to chest muscular pain. Imam-ul-Haq, who last played an ODI match for Pakistan in Chennai on October 27, 2023, is reportedly set to replace him in the squad.
Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury while fielding for Pakistan during the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday, February 20. He didn’t field for the Mohammad Rizwan-led side during the majority of New Zealand’s innings but came out to bat at No. 4 during the 321-run chase; however, he looked in pain. He faced 41 balls during his stay at the crease and, with the help of four fours, scored 24 runs.
Pakistan team is already missing the services of star opening batter Saim Ayub in Champions Trophy 2025 due to ankle injury and now news of Fakhar Zaman getting ruled out has complexed Pakistan’s problems.
Fakhar Zaman was Pakistan’s star performer in the 2017 Champions Trophy final win over India. In the final match played at The Oval on June 18, 2017, Fakhar Zaman scored 114 runs from 106 balls against Virat Kohli-led side and helped Sarfaraz Ahmad & Co. post a total of 338 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets in 50 overs. For his superb show with the bat in the summit clash, Fakhar Zaman won the Player of the Match award in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
In the absence of Fakhar, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel opened for the hosts in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener at National Stadium on Wednesday, but they failed to help Pakistan get off to a good start.
Imam Ul Haq, who comes into the side, does not have the same pedigree as Fakhar in terms of belligerence, and has not played international cricket since 2023. He does, however, have a stellar record as opener, averaging 48.27 with nine ODI centuries from 72 ODIs.
Imam-Ul-Haq Replaces Fakhar Zaman In Pakistan’s Squad For Champions Trophy 2025
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad.
The International Cricket Council (ICC)’s technical committee has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for the injured Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Fakhar was ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury he suffered while fielding against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.
Imam Ul Haq last played an ODI for Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup against South Africa. After a poor tournament, he remained out of favor for almost two years before piling up runs in domestic cricket to get back in contention.
Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.
“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad. Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury,” an ICC press release said.
“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager – Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director – International Cricket Operations), Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative),” it added.
Fakhar’s injury will come as a massive blow for the Men in Green, who have already been dealing with promising opener Saim Ayub’s absence. Imam has decent overall numbers in ODIs with 3138 runs at an average of 48.27 in 72 matches but he’s coming in a team that’s in a dire state after losing the first match to New Zealand and needs to win the next two matches against India and Bangladesh.