LAHORE: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq shared a cryptic message on social media after being left out of the national squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Imam, who last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup in India, expressed his feelings following his omission despite strong performances in domestic cricket.

“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!” he wrote.

The opener last featured in an international match in December 2023 during a Test against Australia in Melbourne, where he scored just 22 runs in two innings. Following a string of low scores, he was dropped from the squad and returned to domestic cricket.

In the recently concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25, Imam represented the Multan region and was the tournament’s third-highest scorer, amassing 635 runs in nine innings at an average of 79.37, including three centuries and a fifty. His impressive performance earned him the captaincy of the Pakistan Shaheens squad against the visiting West Indies side.

Meanwhile, Pakistan announced their 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, with four changes from the ODI series against South Africa last year. Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Sufiyan Muqeem were left out, replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.

Mohammad Rizwan has been named captain, with Salman Ali Agha serving as vice-captain. The squad includes three players from Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy-winning team: Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman.

The same squad will participate in the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa as preparation for the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.