ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the tournament, replacement announced

Fakhar Zaman scored 24 runs against New Zealand in the first match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

On Thursday, February 20, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury.

Fakhar sustained this injury in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. He had to leave the field just two deliveries into the game after injuring himself while fielding.

Chasing Will Young’s cover drive, Zaman injured himself while diving near the boundary rope. He later returned to the field during Pakistan’s bowling innings but couldn’t open the batting due to the extended time spent off the field.

The southpaw struggled while batting and managed 24 runs off 41 balls while stitching a 47-run partnership with Babar Azam for the third wicket.

Pakistan have now announced a replacement for the injured opener.

Imam Ul Haq replaces Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan’s squad in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Approving Pakistan’s request for a replacement, the ICC released a statement confirming that Imam Ul Haq has replaced Fakhar in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad.

The statement read, “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. Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury.“

“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.“

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager – Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director – International Cricket Operations), Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).“

Imam, who has represented Pakistan in multiple ICC events, has scored 3,138 runs in 72 ODIs at an average of 48 with nine centuries and 20 half-centuries under his belt.

He last played an ODI for Pakistan in Chennai against South Africa during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

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