Due to an oblique injury, Pakistan’s standout opener Fakhar Zaman will not be participating in the event, which is a huge setback to their aspirations of winning the Champions Trophy again. Imam-ul-Haq was called up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take his position, and the ICC approved the decision. Imam, who last played for Pakistan in December 2023, will join the squad ahead of their high-voltage clash against arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai.
The injury to Fakhar happened during Pakistan’s first match against New Zealand. Fakhar fielded the ball and pulled up in difficulty as he chased a cover drive from Will Young. Despite receiving on-field treatment, he was forced to leave the field and remained sidelined for over two hours. He was clearly having trouble when he finally came back to bat at No. 4, needing medications and constant medical care throughout his 41-ball innings. Scoring just 24 runs, Fakhar’s restricted movement hampered his ability to contribute effectively as Pakistan fell short in their chase of New Zealand’s 320-run target.
Fakhar’s injury is a tragic turn of events; he had just recently returned to the team after Pakistan’s top opener, Saim Ayub, broke his ankle during the January Test series against South Africa. Fakhar’s absence is particularly devastating given his heroics in the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he solidified his spot in Pakistan cricket history with his game-winning 114 against India in the final.
Imam-ul-Haq, a seasoned opener with a strong ODI record, will replace Fakhar. While Imam may lack Fakhar’s explosive style, his consistency is undeniable, boasting an average of 48.27 with nine centuries in 72 ODIs. His lack of recent international cricket experience, however, begs the issue of whether he is prepared for a tournament with such high stakes.
Following their opening-match loss to New Zealand by 60 runs, Pakistan’s campaign is already under pressure. With Fakhar’s exit, the team’s batting lineup faces an even steeper challenge. Now, all eyes will be on Imam as Pakistan prepares for their crucial match against India, which is expected to be an exciting contest in Dubai.
Fakhar took to social media to express his disappointment, stating, “Representing Pakistan on the biggest stage is an honor and dream of every cricketer in this country. I have been privileged to represent Pakistan multiple times with pride. Unfortunately, I’m now out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but surely Allah is the best planner.”
Pakistan is trying to recover, and Imam and the rest of the team are under pressure to maintain their hopes of winning the Champions Trophy. Will they be able to handle the situation, or will Fakhar’s absence be too much to handle? The cricket community eagerly awaits.
