February 2, 2025: Imam-ul-Haq, the opening batter for Pakistan, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a cryptic message after being left out of the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Despite being one of the names speculated for inclusion, Imam was snubbed, as Pakistan’s management chose to bolster their middle order with players like Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, and Khushdil Shah, leaving no room for Imam.
Imam posted a reflection on his exclusion, saying, “Not the outcome I expected, but the journey isn’t over. This is how life is– it’s all about growth and getting stronger with every hurdle. Patience and trust in Allah is the key!” His words suggested a sense of resilience and optimism, even as he faced a setback.
Imam’s last ODI appearance for Pakistan was in October 2023, during the ODI World Cup against South Africa, and he was last seen on the international stage in a Test match against Australia in December 2023. After a disappointing run of form, Imam was dropped from all formats. Determined to regain his place, Imam focused on the domestic scene and had an impressive run in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25. Representing Multan, Imam scored 635 runs in nine innings, with an average of 79.37, including three centuries and a fifty, cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers.
Despite his strong domestic showing, the Pakistan squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy was announced without his name. The squad includes Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
Imam’s exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad comes as a tough blow, but his determination to grow from the setback suggests his journey is far from over.