Left-handed batter Imamul Haq has replaced Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy after the latter suffered an injury in the opening match of the mega event against New Zealand, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.

The decision comes after Zaman was ruled out of the blockbuster clash against India in the mega event. The Green Shirts are scheduled to face archrivals India on Sunday.

Zaman was injured while fielding in the opening over of the match against New Zealand in Karachi and has been subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

Pakistan failed to chase down New Zealand’s target of 321 runs, concluding their innings at 260 all out.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad,” the committee said in a statement.

Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Zaman was ruled out due to an oblique injury.

“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.”

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager – Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director – International Cricket Operations), Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).