Who is the Most Expensive Player of ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has brought thrilling performances and surprising revelations. While cricket superstars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam have made headlines with their batting displays, the title of the most expensive player has gone to a Pakistan cricketer—and it’s not who you’d expect!
According to reports, Imam-ul-Haq, the Pakistani opener, has earned Rs 3 lakh per run scored in the tournament, making him the most expensive player in terms of cost-per-run calculation.
How Was the Most Expensive Player Calculated?
The calculation is based on the match fees and total runs scored in the tournament. Since Imam-ul-Haq played just one match and scored 10 runs, he earned a staggering Rs 3 million PKR (approx. Rs 30 lakh INR) for his performance, resulting in an astronomical Rs 3 lakh per run.
Comparison with Other Star Players
| Player | Country | Total Runs | Match Fees (Rs) | Earnings Per Run (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 10 | 30,00,000 | 3,00,000 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 61 | 12,00,000 | 19,672 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 122 | 12,00,000 | 9,806 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 87 | 9,00,000 | 1,03,448 |
Why Was Imam-ul-Haq Paid So Much?
- Injury Replacement: Imam-ul-Haq was not part of the initial squad and was called up as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman, who suffered an injury before Pakistan’s second match against India.
- High Match Fees: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allocated Rs 3 million PKR for Imam’s participation.
- Limited Performance: Since Pakistan’s last group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out, Imam ended up playing just one match, making his cost-per-run the highest in the tournament.
How Did Other Players Perform?
- Rohit Sharma: Scored 61 runs in two matches, earning Rs 19,672 per run.
- Virat Kohli: One of India’s top scorers, accumulating 122 runs in two matches, with a per-run value of Rs 9,806.
- Babar Azam: Scored 87 runs for Pakistan and earned approximately Rs 1 lakh per run.
Pakistan’s Early Exit from the Tournament
Pakistan’s journey in the Champions Trophy ended early as they failed to secure a single victory. Their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out, which officially eliminated them from the competition without a single win.
Pakistan’s Performance in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | India | Lost by 6 wickets |
| Group A | Bangladesh | Match abandoned (Rain) |
Pakistan’s early exit means they will receive a consolation prize of $125,000, while the winner of the tournament will take home $2.24 million.
Despite the likes of Kohli, Rohit, and Babar performing well, Imam-ul-Haq’s unique case of high match fees and low runs scored made him the most expensive player of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment, Imam’s massive per-run earning has sparked curiosity and debate among cricket fans worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates on ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
