Imam-ul-Haq to replace Fakhar Zaman on Pakistan CT Squad

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved Imam-ul-Haq’s inclusion in the Pakistan Champions Trophy squad, as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman who was recently injured.

The Event Technical Committee, which consists of Easim Khan, Sarah Edgar, Usman Wahla, and Shaun Pollock, approved of the replacement request.

Fakhar was injured in the Champions Trophy opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand while fielding, as he attempted to stop a shot heading towards the boundary in the very first over of the match. It is reported to be a back injury.

Imam last played as part of one of Pakistan’s three squads competing in the Champions Trophy warm-up matches under the Shaheens banner. He played in a match against South Africa in which he scored 98 runs off 94 deliveries.

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Prior to the warm up match, Imam last played in 2023, during the ICC ODI World Cup. His best performance during the tournament came against Australia. Despite losing the match, Imam scored 70 runs off 71 balls.

Imam has scored 3138 runs across the 71 innings he has batted in. His high score of 151 came against England in May of 2019. He has an incredible average of 48.27. Imam has scored a century nine times in the format, and 20 half centuries.

Pakistan now have a great player in Imam, but it doesn’t change the fact that the men in green still only have one specialist opener, while most other teams have three.

Also read: Fakhar Zaman out of Champions Trophy with injury