Dubai, February 20, 2025: Pakistan’s title defense in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has suffered a major setback as opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement in the squad.
Fakhar sustained the injury on just the second ball of the tournament while chasing a cover drive from New Zealand’s Will Young off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling. Despite receiving on-field treatment, he was forced to leave the field for over two hours. When he later returned to bat at No. 4, he struggled with discomfort throughout his 41-ball innings, requiring multiple visits from the team doctor and physio, and relying on painkillers to continue. He managed to score 24 runs before being dismissed, but his limited mobility hampered Pakistan’s chase of New Zealand’s 320-run target, ultimately ending in a 60-run defeat.
Fakhar’s injury comes as another blow to Pakistan, who had already lost Saim Ayub to a fractured ankle sustained during the second Test against South Africa in January. Saim had been a standout performer in Pakistan’s three consecutive away series victories last year, and his absence opened the door for Fakhar’s return to the squad.
Fakhar’s exit is particularly painful given his historic performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where he played a match-winning 114-run knock against India, securing Pakistan’s maiden title.
Replacing Fakhar in the squad, Imam-ul-Haq brings experience but a different style of play. The left-handed opener last played for Pakistan in 2023, but has an impressive ODI record, averaging 48.27 with nine centuries in 72 matches. While he lacks Fakhar’s aggressive stroke play, his ability to anchor an innings could provide stability at the top of the order.
Pakistan now face an uphill battle in their title defense, with their next match scheduled against arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai. Already under pressure after their opening defeat to New Zealand, Pakistan will need to regroup quickly if they are to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive.
