Who will replace Fakhar Zaman in ICC Champions Trophy?

With Fakhar Zaman is highly-likely to miss the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan think tank has already started mulling over his replacement.

The left-hander suffered a back injury in Pakistan’s 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy opener in Karachi.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), opening batter Fakhar Zaman is not travelling with the Pakistan team, who are set to depart to Dubai today.

Sources said that the Pakistan cricket team’s think tank has already started discussing a suitable replacement for Fakhar.

For that, an in-form Imam ul Haq, who recently featured in a warm-up tie against Bangladesh in Dubai, is the top candidate. The left-hander scored 98 runs in the game.

A formal announcement of Fakhar Zamans’ replacement will be made the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) technical committee soon.

Pakistan are set to face arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sunday February 23.

It is worth mentioning here that Fakhar was forced off the field just after two deliveries in Karachi on Wednesday.

Zaman suffered a muscular injury while chasing a ball towards the boundary. He cut it off before palming it over to Babar Azam to throw it back to the keeper, but immediately appeared to feel discomfort and walked off the field.

He walked backed to dug out with the physio, though unaided. He eventually returned to the field later in the game.

The southpaw came out to bat at Mohammad Rizwan’s position, as he was not eligible to open for Pakistan for not spending required time on the field during New Zealand innings.

During his batting, he again felt discomfort and was checked by a physio. He was not able to run between the wicket properly.

Eventually, he was bowled by Bracewell after scoring 24 off 42 deliveries.