With Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out, Here’s Pakistan’s Likely Playing 11 vs India

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already thrown a curveball for Pakistan, with star opener Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the tournament due to an injury sustained during their opening match against New Zealand. This leaves Pakistan with a significant void at the top of the order as they prepare to face arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai. The absence of Fakhar, who famously scored a match-winning century against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, has forced Pakistan to rethink their strategy and reshuffle their lineup.

In this article, we’ll explore Pakistan’s likely playing XI against India, analyze the impact of Fakhar’s absence, and predict how the Men in Green can still pose a threat to Rohit Sharma’s formidable side.

Fakhar Zaman’s Exit: A Major Blow

Fakhar Zaman’s injury is a massive setback for Pakistan. The left-handed opener has been a key player in ICC tournaments, particularly against India. His 114-run knock in the 2017 Champions Trophy final remains one of the most iconic performances in Pakistan’s cricketing history. Fakhar’s ability to dominate the Powerplay and set the tone for the innings will be sorely missed.

The injury occurred during Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand, where Fakhar hurt himself while fielding in the first over. Despite returning to bat at No. 4, he struggled visibly, scoring just 24 off 41 balls before being dismissed. His absence has left Pakistan scrambling to find a suitable replacement at the top of the order.

Read more: Harbhajan Singh Dismisses Hype Around India-Pakistan Clash: “It’s Overhyped”

Pakistan’s Likely Playing XI Against India

With Fakhar Zaman out, Pakistan’s team management has named Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement. Imam, who has played 72 ODIs and scored over 3,000 runs, is expected to open alongside Babar Azam. Here’s the probable playing XI for the high-voltage clash:

1. Openers: Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam

• Imam-ul-Haq: A technically sound opener, Imam brings stability to the top order. While he lacks Fakhar’s explosiveness, his ability to anchor the innings will be crucial against India’s potent bowling attack.
• Babar Azam: The backbone of Pakistan’s batting, Babar will need to lead from the front. His ability to play both pace and spin makes him a key player in Dubai’s conditions.

2. Middle Order: Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, and Tayyab Tahir

• Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk): The captain and wicketkeeper, Rizwan’s aggressive batting and leadership will be vital. He’s known for his ability to accelerate in the middle overs.
• Saud Shakeel: A reliable middle-order batter, Shakeel can stabilize the innings if early wickets fall. He was forced to open against New Zealand but is better suited to the No. 4 or 5 position.
• Tayyab Tahir: A dynamic finisher, Tahir’s ability to clear the boundaries in the death overs adds depth to Pakistan’s batting.

3. All-Rounders: Salman Ali Agha and Faheem Ashraf

• Salman Ali Agha: A handy off-spinner and a capable lower-order batter, Agha provides balance to the side.
• Faheem Ashraf: Known for his medium-pace bowling and big-hitting ability, Ashraf can contribute in both departments.

4. Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed

• Shaheen Shah Afridi: Pakistan’s pace spearhead, Shaheen’s ability to swing the ball early will be crucial against India’s top order.
• Naseem Shah: A young and fiery pacer, Naseem’s accuracy and pace make him a potent weapon.
• Haris Rauf: Known for his express pace and yorkers, Rauf will be key in the death overs.
• Abrar Ahmed: The mystery spinner, Abrar’s variations could trouble India’s batters in the middle overs.

Key Challenges for Pakistan

1. Powerplay Struggles: Without Fakhar, Pakistan’s Powerplay scoring rate could suffer. Imam and Babar will need to ensure a solid start to avoid early pressure.
2. Middle-Order Dependency: The middle order, led by Rizwan and Shakeel, will need to step up and build partnerships.
3. Bowling Depth: While Pakistan’s bowling attack is strong, they’ll need to execute their plans perfectly to contain India’s star-studded batting lineup.

India’s Edge and Pakistan’s Hope

India enters the match as favorites, with a balanced squad and recent dominance over Pakistan in ICC events. However, Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Shaheen and Abrar, has the potential to turn the game on its head. If Babar and Rizwan fire with the bat, Pakistan could still pull off an upset.

A Battle of Nerves

Fakhar Zaman’s absence has undoubtedly weakened Pakistan, but it also presents an opportunity for others to step up. The India-Pakistan clash is always a high-pressure game, and the team that handles the nerves better will come out on top.

Will Pakistan’s reshuffled lineup rise to the occasion, or will India continue their dominance? Tune in on February 23 to find out!