The ICC Technical Committee has approved Imam-ul-Haq’s inclusion in the Pakistan squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy in place of Merrist. Zamans ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury during the field match against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.
Before this, Imam last played an ODI for Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup against South Africa. Following a disappointing tournament that kept him out of the squad for nearly two years, he made a good run in domestic cricket and made his way back into contention.
“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’, Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-Ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad. With 72 ODIs under his belt, Imam, 29, has been named a replacement for Fakhar after he was ruled out owing to an oblique injury,” stated an ICC press release.
Earlier, Fakhar confirmed he would not be participating. He, however, looked forward to coming back stronger.
“It has been a great honour and dream for every cricketer in this country to represent Pakistan on the biggest stage. I have been privileged enough on a number of occasions to represent Pakistan with pride. But now I have been ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Surely Allah is the best of planners. I am grateful for the opportunity I got, and I will be cheering our boys in green from home. This is only the beginning, and my comeback will, hopefully, be stronger than any setback I have ever faced. Pakistan Zindabad,” Fakhar wrote on his social media.
