ICC approves Fakhar Zaman replacement in Pakistan squad

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday approved the replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad.

According to ICC, Twenty-nine-year-old Imam ul Haq, 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 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.

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.