Imam-ul-Haq takes Ruturaj Gaikwad's place in this team amid India-Pakistan tensions

The 29-year-old Pakistan National Cricket Team batsman Imam-ul-Haq has taken the place of 28-year-old India National Cricket Team batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad in a team amid Indo-Pak tensions.

Imam-ul-Haq has officially been roped in by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club as a replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad for the remainder of the season.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls out of deal with Yorkshire

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, had signed the contract to represent Yorkshire in five County Championship matches as well as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

He was set to play his first competitive match since early April 2025, as he was out of action for quite some time, having been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL) 2025 due to an elbow injury.

However, on July 19, days before his maiden appearance for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulled out of his deal due to 'personal reasons'.

Speaking of Ruturaj Gaikwad's withdrawal, the Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath said that it was a 'disappointing' development, but he refrained from revealing the actual reason behind India star's move.

Imam-ul-Haq replaces Ruturaj Gaikwad

On July 21, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club announced that they have brought in the out-of-favor Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Imam-ul-Haq to the team as an overseas signing.

YCC confirmed that Imam-ul-Haq will be featuring in the match against Surrey at Scarborough and will remain with the side for the rest of the season.

"The Pakistan multi-format international will go straight into the squad for this week’s clash with Surrey at Scarborough and remain with the team for the Metro Bank One Day Cup and the remaining Rothesay County Championship games in September."

"The left-hander, nephew of Pakistan great Inzamam, has a first-class average of 43 and comes off the back of helping his team Pakistan Television win their domestic first-class trophy, the President’s Cup in March," Yorkshire said in an official statement.

We were naturally disappointed that Ruturaj couldn’t join up with the squad - Gavin Hamilton

In an official statement, Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire's General Manager of Cricket, said that they were "naturally disappointed" with Ruturaj Gaikwad withdrawing from the contract, but were delighted to have Imam-ul-Haq in the squad, who is an "exceptional player". Hamilton said:

“We’re delighted that Imam has joined us and that he will be available immediately. Whilst we were naturally disappointed that Ruturaj couldn’t join up with the squad, in Imam we have an exceptional player of proven international quality.

“Imam has an impressive record and is already familiar with domestic cricket in this country which will stand us in good stead for a crucial block of fixtures. We are grateful for the speed in which he has arrived in the country and everyone at the Club is looking forward to working with him through until the end of the season.”

Imam-ul-Haq has played 24 Test matches for the Pakistan National Cricket Team and has scored 1568 runs at an average of 37.33. Also, he has played 75 ODIs and scored 3152 runs at an average of 47.04. In T20Is, he only got two matches where he scored 21 runs at an average of 10.50.