Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman has expressed his disappointment after being ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to injury, stating that while the setback is unfortunate, he remains hopeful for a swift recovery.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Zaman shared his sentiments, saying, "It is an honor to represent Pakistan. I have done so many times and will continue to do so, InshaAllah."
He further added, "Being eliminated from the Champions Trophy is disappointing, but I believe things will get better with Allah’s will."
Zaman, who sustained a back injury while fielding against New Zealand, was officially replaced in the squad by left-handed batter Imam-ul-Haq after approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.
The committee, comprising Wasim Khan, Usman Wahla, Sarah Edgar, and Shaun Pollock, gave the go-ahead following Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request for a replacement.
Despite his absence from the tournament, Zaman assured his support for the national team, stating, "I will support my team from home."
Pakistan will now adjust their batting combination as they move forward in the Champions Trophy, with Imam-ul-Haq expected to play a key role at the top of the order.
How can Pakistan secure spot in Champions Trophy semi-finals?
With only three group-stage matches in the tournament, Pakistan now finds itself in a precarious position. A defeat against India could see them eliminated from the competition.
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To stay in contention, Pakistan must win both their remaining fixtures against India and Bangladesh.
Additionally, they will have to keep a close watch on their net run rate, as a scenario could arise where three teams finish with two wins each, making the qualification dependent on superior run rate.
The upcoming fixture against India in Dubai is now a virtual knockout for Pakistan, leaving them with no margin for error.
