In a massive blow to Pakistan’s Champions Trophy title defence, Fakhar Zaman on Thursday was ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Zaman sustained an oblique injury in the very first over of the game on Wednesday while fielding in the opening match of the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi. The development was confirmed by the International Cricket Council, as the Event Technical Committee approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Zaman in the Pakistan playing squad.
Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, last played an ODI for Pakistan in October 2023, against South Africa at the World Cup in Chennai.
“Representing Pakistan on the biggest stage is an honour and dream of every cricketer in this country. I have been privileged enough to represent Pakistan multiple times with pride. Unfortunately I’m now out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but surely Allah is the best planner. Grateful for the opportunity. I will be backing our boys in green from home.
This is only just the beginning, the comeback will be stronger than the setback,” Zaman posted on X.
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It was a freak injury for Zaman. New Zealand opener Will Young drove Shaheen Afridi through the covers, with Zaman setting off in pursuit off just the second ball of the day. He managed to cut it off before palming the ball to Babar Azam to throw it back to the keeper, but immediately appeared to feel discomfort. Zaman signalled that he needed to be replaced, and went off the field with the physio, though he walked unaided back to the dressing room.
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He later tried to return to the field but went off again. He couldn’t open the batting for Pakistan given the time he spent off the field. In a statement about the injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said: “Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain, and further updates will be provided in due course.” The 34-year-old eventually came out to bat at No.4 but struggled with rhythm and scored just 24 off 41 balls with the home team losing by a massive 60 runs
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