Imam-ul-Haq replaces injured Fakhar Zaman in Champions Trophy

Left-handed batsman Imam-ul-Haq has replaced Fakhar Zaman, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to fitness issues, in the Pakistan squad for the ongoing eight-team tournament.

In a media release, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that their Event Technical Committee has approved Imam as replacement of the injured batsman.

In an ICC event, the replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.

“I think Imam is set to replace Fakhar,” a well-placed source, who is very close to the Pakistan team, had told Nuktaearlier in the morning.

The source said that the PCB has forwarded the name to the ICC technical committee and ICC will announce it in due course after formal approval by its committee.

Imam has scored 3138 runs in 72 ODIs. His journey also features nine centuries and 20 fifties.

Imam played his last ODI against South Africa on October 27 at Chennai during the ICC One-day World Cup.

Fakhar developed muscular pain while fielding in the Champions Trophy first game against New Zealand on Wednesday at the National Stadium Karachi.

The batter also did not open the innings and Saud Shakeel was promoted up the order to start along with Babar Azam.

Fakhar, who came to bat at no.4 after skipper Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed, was seen in pain and scored 24 off 41 balls before being bowled by spinner Michael Bracewell.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also confirmed Thursday morning that Fakhar will not be travelling with the team to Dubai.

This is a huge blow to Pakistan ahead of a crucial India’s game scheduled to be held in Dubai on February 23. The match holds significance for the hosts as the defeat will put Pakistan out of the event.

Fakhar was brought into the side for the Champions Trophy after he was dropped from the away series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa due to various reasons, especially his fitness issues.

He passed through a rehab at the National Cricket Academy and also did well in the Champions T20 Cup in Rawalpindi. He later showed some spark in the ILT20 in Dubai.

The left-hander justified his selection by playing a fine innings in the first game of the tri-nation series against New Zealand.