Islamabad, Feb 3: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but the omission of seasoned opener Imam-ul-Haq has raised eyebrows, leaving many questioning the selectors’ decision. Despite an opportunity arising due to Saim Ayub’s injury, Imam-ul-Haq, who last represented Pakistan in 2023, was left out of the 15-man squad, leaving a void at the top of the order alongside Fakhar Zaman.
Reports suggest that Imam-ul-Haq was initially part of the selectors’ plans for the Champions Trophy, but concerns about his form and fitness ultimately led to his exclusion. The team management had even considered including Imam in Pakistan’s second Test against the West Indies in Multan, but his fitness issues were reportedly a key factor in his omission. These concerns were further amplified by his absence from PCB’s central contracts for the 2024–25 season, after being part of the B category in 2023–24.
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The decision to exclude Imam-ul-Haq was also influenced by his recent performance for Pakistan Shaheens. During a three-day match against the West Indies, Imam scored only five runs in the first innings and didn’t bat in the second. His early departure from the match raised doubts within the selection committee, with Imam leaving for Lahore after receiving permission from the coach, Umar Gul.
Imam-ul-Haq, known for his consistency at the top of the order, took to social media after the squad announcement to share his thoughts. In a reflective post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The result was not what I expected, but the journey is not over yet. This is life. Every challenge is an opportunity to move forward, to grow stronger, and most importantly, to have patience and trust in Allah.”
His exclusion leaves Pakistan without a proven opener, as Imam has played all 72 of his One-Day International (ODI) matches as an opener, accumulating 3,138 runs at an impressive average of 48.27, including nine centuries and 20 half-centuries. The selectors are likely to experiment with other options such as Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam in the opening role.
With the Champions Trophy approaching in just a few weeks, it remains to be seen if the PCB’s decision will have an impact on Pakistan’s performance or if a new partnership will rise to the challenge.
