Pakistan have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 game against India, as opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Fakhar Zaman was injured on February 19 during Pakistan's tournament-opening match against New Zealand at Karachi's National Stadium.

Fakhar Zaman, fielding at mid-off, sprinted to the boundary and tried a dive. But the Pakistani opener injured himself after landing awkwardly. Despite the anguish, Fakhar remained on the field for a time until being forced to leave due to extreme back pain.

That meant he could not open the Pakistan batting, and when he did come in at No. 4, he was visibly discomfited. He received multiple visits from the team doctor and physio and took painkillers on the field throughout his 41-ball stay at the crease.

And now the ICC and Fakhar Zaman have confirmed that Zaman will no longer continue in the tournament as he suffered an oblique tear. 

As a result, Imam Ul Haq has been named as the replacement of Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad. The 29-year-old has featured in 72 ODIs, nd has 3138 runs to his name at an average of 48.3.

Pakistan's updated squad:

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

(ICC inputs)