Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, PCB Names Imam-ul-Haq as Replacement
By smrati khare a day ago
Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign has suffered a major blow as opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to a knee injury. The experienced batter sustained the injury during Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand, where he was seen struggling while batting and fielding.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Imam-ul-Haq has been named as Fakhar’s replacement, bringing stability to Pakistan’s top order ahead of their crucial encounter against India.
Fakhar Zaman’s Injury – What Happened?
During Pakistan’s first match against New Zealand, Fakhar Zaman injured his knee while fielding in the early stages of the game. Although he returned to the field later, he was in visible discomfort and struggled while batting, managing only 24 runs off 41 balls.
Post-match assessments confirmed the severity of his injury, and after further medical evaluations, the PCB officially ruled him out of the tournament.
In a statement, Fakhar expressed his disappointment:
“Representing Pakistan on the biggest stage is an honor and a dream for every cricketer in this country. Unfortunately, I’m now out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but surely Allah is the best planner. I will be backing our boys from home. This is only just the beginning; the comeback will be stronger than the setback. Pakistan Zindabad.”
PCB Names Imam-ul-Haq as Fakhar Zaman’s Replacement
To fill the void left by Fakhar Zaman, PCB has officially named Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement.
Why Imam-ul-Haq?
* Experience: Imam has played 72 ODIs for Pakistan and is a reliable top-order batter.
* Consistency: He has a strong ODI record, with over 3000 runs at an average of 50+.
* Recent Form: His recent performances in domestic cricket and previous ICC tournaments make him a natural choice for Pakistan’s squad.
The ICC Event Technical Committee approved Imam’s inclusion, ensuring he is eligible to play in the remaining matches of the Champions Trophy.
What This Means for Pakistan’s Batting Lineup?
Losing Fakhar Zaman is a significant blow for Pakistan, as he was one of their most explosive top-order batters. His absence will alter Pakistan’s batting strategy, especially against strong bowling attacks like India’s.
With Imam-ul-Haq stepping in, Pakistan is likely to adopt a more stable approach at the top rather than relying on aggressive power-hitting. Imam is known for his calm and composed batting style, which could work well in building partnerships with Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
How This Impacts Pakistan’s Match Against India?
Pakistan’s upcoming clash against arch-rivals India in Dubai is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Fakhar Zaman was one of Pakistan’s key performers in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, where he scored a match-winning century (114 off 106 balls).
His absence means Pakistan will have to rethink their top-order approach, and Imam-ul-Haq will have the challenging task of stepping up in a high-pressure game.
Final Thoughts – Can Pakistan Cope Without Fakhar Zaman?
Fakhar Zaman’s injury is a major setback for Pakistan, but Imam-ul-Haq’s inclusion provides stability to the batting lineup. While Fakhar’s explosive style will be missed, Imam’s experience and consistency could help Pakistan navigate crucial matches in the tournament.
With a blockbuster India vs. Pakistan clash coming up, all eyes will be on Imam and how he fills the gap left by Fakhar Zaman.
What do you think? Can Pakistan still perform strongly without Fakhar Zaman? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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