Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was prepared to play for Yorkshire in the County Championship 2025 campaign. But the right-handed batter cut the season short and returned home for personal reasons. Imam-ul-Haq, an opening Pakistani batsman, has been signed by Yorkshire as his replacement, according to the team's announcement. The club will have immediate access to the left-hander, who will be playing for the team against Surrey in Scarborough.

For the balance of the County season and the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Imam-ul-Haq will continue with the squad. The nephew of the former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is the left-handed hitter.

He has a first-class cricket average of 43, and in March, he had just assisted his team, Pakistan Television, in winning the President's Cup, their local first-class championship.

Regarding Ruturaj Gaikwad, the batsman was banned from the IPL 2025 season halfway through due to a hairline fracture in his elbow. Later, he was identified in the India However, he was not selected for the starting XI for the two unofficial matches against the England Lions.

Following "complications" with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yorkshire's general manager of cricket, Gavin Hamilton, collaborated with Anthony McGrath, the county's current head coach, to bring Imam-ul-Haq on board on a last-minute arrangement, according to an official statement.

Imam-ul-Haq has represented Pakistan in 101 international games. In 2007, Inzamam, his uncle, even played for Yorkshire.

In 2019, Imam played for Pakistan in the ODI World Cup in England, and in 2023, he played for the team in the World Cup in India. During the 2025 Champions Trophy, he was also summoned as a backup for Fakhar Zaman.

After Abdullah Shafique, Imam is the second Pakistani player to represent Yorkshire this summer.

What did Yorkshire have to say about Imam's signing?

Gavin Hamilton stated in the official statement that the club is thrilled to welcome Imam and that he is available right away for the game against Surrey.

"We are happy that Imam has joined us and that he will be available right away. Although we were obviously let down that Ruturaj was unable to join the team, we have a fantastic player of established international caliber in Imam, he stated.

“Imam already knows a lot about domestic cricket in this nation and has a great record, which will be beneficial for us in a vital run of games. Everyone at the club is excited to collaborate with him until the conclusion of the season, and we are appreciative of how quickly he has arrived in the nation, he said.

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