Here's why Imam-ul-Haq was dropped from Champions Trophy squad

Possible reasons behind Imam-ul-Haq's exclusion from Pakistan's squad for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025 have come to light.

With the return of Fakhar Zaman as a specialist opener, the selection committee refrained from including Test captain Shan Masood and Test opener Imam-ul-Haq in the squad, keeping in mind the absence of injured Saim Ayub and out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.

Left-handed Test opener Imam-ul-Haq has an impressive ODI record, having scored 3,138 runs in 72 matches at an average of 48.27, including 9 centuries and 20 half-centuries.

According to media reports, Imam-ul-Haq was a strong candidate for selection with his extensive experience and record. However, certain reasons led the selectors to overlooking him.

Imam last played an ODI for Pakistan on October 27, 2023, in Chennai.

Selectors reportedly had concerns over Imam-ul-Haq's withdrawal from the team just a day before a three-day match against the West Indies last month.

During the first innings of that match, Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for just five runs. In the second innings, Umair Bin Yousuf opened the innings alongside Mohammad Haris instead of Imam because the latter had left for Lahore with permission from head coach Umar Gul.

Mohammad Haris was handed his Test debut in Multan. However, for the second Test, selectors and the team management considered dropping a fast bowler to include Imam-ul-Haq. Reports suggest that doubts were raised over Imam's fitness, leading to his omission.

Imam-ul-Haq was part of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) 2023-24 central contract in the 'B' category. However, fitness concerns played a role in his exclusion from all categories of the 2024-25 central contract.

Meanwhile, reacting to his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad, Imam-ul-Haq took to social media platform X (previously Twitter) and wrote, "The result is not what I expected, but the journey is not over. This is life."

He further added, "Everything is about moving forward through every difficulty, making yourself stronger, and most importantly, having patience and trust in Allah."

PCB announced the Pakistan cricket team squad for the Champions Trophy on Friday. Here is the 15-member squad for the Champion Trophy.

Squad:

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir,  Faheem Asharf, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Rizwan, Usman Khan,  Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Sheheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Hasnain.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 8 2025, in Pakistan and UAE.