ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Imam-ul-Haq clears fitness tests; could be a late entry in Pakistan's squad

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has cleared the required fitness tests which was a roadblock for him to be a part of the national team. Imam wasn't selected in Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy but could get a chance now.

Imam-ul-Haq is one of the most consistent batters for Pakistan and has excellent numbers in ODI cricket. The left-hander has the ability to play long and could fit as the batter at the top order to complement Fakhar Zaman.

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Imam-ul-Haq clears fitness tests

According to a local sports journalist Qadir Khawaja, Imam-ul-Haq's fitness test was conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and he cleared all the tests with flying colors.

Pakistan trainer Simon Drakes was also present at the ground watching the proceedings closely. Imam cleared a 2 km-running test within the stipulated period of time. The opener did a gym session afterwards and was comfortable there as well.

A session including the running between the wickets was also conducted later and Imam passed that with flying colors too. It is believed that Imam wasn't a part of Pakistan's current team due to his fitness concerns.

However, he is likely to get back into the squad and could get a central contract as well. It is a piece of great news for Pakistan as Imam had been one of their most consistent openers in the last decade in the ODI format.

Good news for Imam-ul-Haq, and hopes are still alive if the selection committee includes him in the Champions Trophy squad as an injury replacement.#ChampionsTrophy #CT2025 #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/mdDae0i4v6

— CricFollow (@CricFollow56) February 16, 2025

Will Imam-ul-Haq play in the Champions Trophy?

Imam-ul-Haq could also get a chance in Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy. The Men in Green are looking for a proper opener to partner Fakhar Zaman at the top. The team management has pushed Babar Azam to the opening spot and were looking for him to do the role in the Champions Trophy.

However, Babar's poor form has given the team management something to think and the star batter could move back to No. 3 if Imam gets into the Champions Trophy squad. But the deadline to make any changes in the final squad is over and Pakistan will require the permission of the tournament's technical committee to make this change.

Imam-ul-Haq ODI numbers

Imam-ul-Haq has played 72 ODIs so far and scored 3138 runs at an average of 48.27 with 9 hundreds and 20 fifties. He has enjoyed great success with Fakhar Zaman before.

Fakhar is looking in good form as he scored 135 runs in three matches of the tri-series recently at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 120.53. Imam could emerge as the perfect foil for him as he can anchor an innings.

The move will help Babar Azam go back to No. 3 where he has had most of his success in ODI cricket. The trio of Fakhar, Imam, and Babar has been successful for Pakistan in the past and has won several games for them.

The opening conundrum started after Saim Ayub was injured during the South Africa tour and was later taken to London for further treatment. However, Ayub was later ruled out of the entire Champions Trophy after it was found that he would require some more weeks to be completely fit.

Abdullah Shafique was another option but a poor performance in the ODI series in South Africa ruled out his chances. Shafique registered three ducks in the three-match series which worked against his favour.