Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the remainder of the Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering an oblique injury during the tournament opener against New Zealand. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Imam-ul-Haq will replace Zaman in the squad as they prepare for the next crucial matches in Group A.

Zaman’s Injury and Match Impact

Zaman sustained the injury just two deliveries into the opening match while attempting to stop a boundary off Will Young’s shot against Shaheen Afridi. The 32-year-old dived to prevent the ball from crossing the boundary rope but ended up injuring himself. He was forced to leave the field and received medical attention.

Despite returning to the field later in the first innings, Zaman’s injury severely affected his movement, preventing him from opening the innings for Pakistan in their chase of 320 runs. He batted at No. 4, managing to score 24 off 41 balls, but struggled with running between the wickets. He shared a 47-run stand with captain Babar Azam, but both batters found it difficult to accelerate, ultimately contributing to Pakistan’s 60-run loss.

Imam-ul-Haq Returns After Long Absence

With Zaman’s injury ruling him out for the rest of the tournament, 29-year-old Imam-ul-Haq has been called up as a replacement. Imam, who last played for Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup, has been out of the national setup since. He brings 72 ODIs worth of experience, accumulating 3,138 runs at an average of 48.27. His return will be crucial as Pakistan aims to strengthen its top order ahead of their upcoming matches.

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 Campaign

Pakistan, the defending Champions Trophy winners, have a tough road ahead in Group A. Their next match is a high-stakes clash against India on February 23, followed by their final group-stage match against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.

With their batting lineup already under scrutiny, Zaman’s absence is a major blow to Pakistan’s campaign. The team will rely on Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Imam-ul-Haq to stabilize the top order and ensure a strong performance in the upcoming matches.

As the Champions Trophy progresses, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s ability to bounce back from their opening loss, and how Imam-ul-Haq fills the void left by Fakhar Zaman’s injury.

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