Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy, Imam-ul-Haq named as replacement

Pakistan’s opening batsman, Fakhar Zaman, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to an oblique injury sustained during the team’s opening match against New Zealand. The injury occurred in the first over when Zaman chased a cover drive from Will Young, leading to visible discomfort and his subsequent departure from the field for over two hours. Upon his return, he batted at number four, scoring 24 runs off 41 balls, but was hindered by the injury.

In response to Zaman’s unavailability, the ICC Event Technical Committee has approved Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement in Pakistan’s squad. Imam, a 29-year-old left-handed opener, boasts an impressive record of nine centuries in 72 One Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite not having played international cricket since 2023, his experience and consistent performance make him a valuable addition to the team.

The injury to Zaman is a significant setback for Pakistan, especially considering his pivotal role in their 2017 Champions Trophy victory, where he scored a match-winning century against India in the final. His absence disrupts the team’s batting lineup ahead of their crucial match against arch-rivals India, scheduled for Sunday in Dubai. This fixture is a must-win for Pakistan to keep their title defense hopes alive in the eight-team tournament.

Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, highlighted the impact of Zaman’s injury on the team’s performance in their opening match. He noted that the injury forced a reshuffle in the batting order, affecting their momentum during the chase against New Zealand. Rizwan emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and regaining momentum in the upcoming matches to stay competitive in the tournament