Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign has hit a snag with the likely exit of star opener Fakhar Zaman, who is set to miss the remainder of the tournament due to a muscular injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Zaman will not be traveling with the team to Dubai, where Pakistan is scheduled to depart today.
In his absence, the management is considering a replacement, with Imam-ul-Haq emerging as a top contender for the spot. Imam, who has been in excellent form, made a strong case for himself by scoring 98 runs in a recent warm-up match against Bangladesh in Dubai.
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The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) technical committee is expected to make a formal announcement on Zaman’s replacement soon, as Pakistan gears up for a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals India on Sunday, February 23.
Fakhar Zaman sustained his injury while fielding against New Zealand on Wednesday. He chased a ball toward the boundary and threw it to Babar Azam but immediately showed signs of discomfort. Though he returned to the field later, he continued to struggle during Pakistan’s batting innings, eventually being dismissed for 24 runs off 42 balls.
Zaman’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by Pakistan, and the team will be hoping for a swift recovery as they continue their journey in the tournament.
