Fakhar Zaman is out of the Champions Trophy due to an oblique injury. Imam-ul-Haq has been appointed as his replacement. This marks the second injury setback for Pakistan during the tournament, impacting their title defense.
In a significant setback for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign, opener Fakhar Zaman has been sidelined due to an oblique injury sustained during the opening match against New Zealand. The injury occurred while he was fielding, leading to discomfort that forced him to only contribute 24 runs before being bowled out. Imam-ul-Haq has been named as his replacement for the remainder of the tournament.
This injury comes as a second major blow to Pakistan’s title defense in a tournament they are hosting for the first time in 29 years, following the unfortunate ankle injury of Saim Ayub during a prior Test. Notably, Fakhar Zaman was part of the Pakistan team that won the previous Champions Trophy in 2017, where he impressively scored 114 runs against India in the final.
Imam-ul-Haq, called up to replace Zaman, has been out of international cricket since 2023 but boasts a strong record of nine centuries in 72 One-Day Internationals. Following this unfortunate incident, the team traveled to Dubai, where they are set to compete against India on Sunday.
In conclusion, Fakhar Zaman’s injury represents a significant challenge for the Pakistan cricket team as they defend their Champions Trophy title. Imam-ul-Haq’s inclusion offers some hope, given his impressive past performances. The team’s commitment remains strong as they prepare for their upcoming match against India amidst these setbacks.
Original Source: apnews.com
