Fakhar ruled out of Champions Trophy as PCB calls Imam
Fakhar Zaman only walked out to bat at No. 4 against New Zealand and scored 24 off 41 balls, AFP
ICC has approved Imam-ul-Haq as Fakhar’s replacement.
New Zealand spoil historic day for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
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Fakhar sustained the injury during the opening match against New Zealand while chasing a cover drive from Will Young off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling.
The injury occurred just two balls into the tournament. Fakhar showed visible discomfort after collecting the ball and received treatment on the field before being taken off. He remained out for over two hours.
The injury prevented Fakhar from opening the batting for Pakistan. When he eventually came in at No. 4, he appeared significantly hampered. The team doctor and physio made multiple visits to assist him, and he had to rely on painkillers during his 41-ball innings.
Despite his brave effort, Fakhar’s restricted movement impacted his performance. His scratchy innings yielded 24 runs, and he struggled to make a meaningful contribution to Pakistan’s 320-run chase set by New Zealand.
The loss of Fakhar, a key player for Pakistan, is a serious blow to their Champions Trophy campaign, and Imam-ul-Haq will now have the challenging task of filling the void.
