Big BLOW For Pakistan As Star Opener Ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan’s tournament has gone from bad to worse after Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with an oblique injury. The opener hurt himself while diving to save a boundary in Pakistan’s opening clash against New Zealand in Karachi. 

However, he did return to field in the first innings. He batted at No.4, scoring a 41-ball 24 in an innings where he struggled. In the aftermath of the clash, ICC announced that Zaman is now out of the tournament, with fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq being named as a replacement. 

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad,” read an ICC release.

Imam hasn’t played ODI cricket for Pakistan since 2023 but has a stellar record in the 50-over format, with 3138 runs at an average of 48.27.