Fakhar Zaman Exits Champions Trophy; Imam-ul-Haq Named Replacement

Fakhar Zaman is ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an oblique injury, and Imam-ul-Haq has been named his replacement. Fakhar sustained the injury early in a match against New Zealand, forcing him to bat in discomfort. This injury, along with Saim Ayub’s broken ankle, poses challenges for Pakistan as they defend their title.

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan’s cricket team is facing a significant setback as opening batsman Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an oblique injury. This announcement came on Thursday, following Fakhar’s unfortunate injury during the team’s first match on Wednesday. While pursuing a ball, he fell awkwardly in the outfield, forcing him to bat despite visible discomfort, ultimately scoring 24 runs before being dismissed by New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell. Pakistan lost the match by 60 runs, marking a troubled start to their title defense.

Fakhar’s absence represents the second major injury setback for Pakistan in their first significant tournament as hosts in nearly three decades. Earlier, another key player, Saim Ayub, sustained an ankle fracture during a test match in South Africa. Fakhar, Babar Azam, and Faheem Ashraf are the only remaining members from the squad that triumphed in the last Champions Trophy held in England in 2017, where Fakhar notably scored a pivotal 114 runs against India in the final.

In light of Fakhar’s injury, Imam-ul-Haq has been selected as his replacement for the remainder of the tournament. Imam, a left-handed opener, has not participated in international cricket since 2023 but boasts an impressive record with nine centuries in 72 one-day internationals. Following this announcement, the Pakistan team departed for Dubai, where they are set to meet India this Sunday.

In summary, Pakistan’s cricket team is experiencing critical injuries as they compete in the Champions Trophy. Fakhar Zaman, a key player in their title defense, is sidelined due to an oblique injury, with Imam-ul-Haq stepping in as his replacement. As the team prepares to face India, the pressure mounts on the remaining players to perform.

Original Source: apnews.com