County Championship: Ruturaj Gaikwad replaced; Pakistan batter joins Yorkshire

Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI Photo)

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been replaced at Yorkshire, with Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq stepping in as an overseas signing for the rest of the season. The club confirmed Imam’s arrival following Gaikwad’s withdrawal from his planned stint due to personal reasons.Imam, the nephew of Pakistan legend Inzamam-ul-Haq, brings a wealth of international experience to Yorkshire. The 28-year-old left-hander has compiled three centuries in 24 Test matches and nine hundreds in 75 ODIs for Pakistan. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!He also has prior experience in English conditions, having represented Somerset during the 2022 County Championship.The left-handed batter will slot directly into Yorkshire’s squad for their upcoming County Championship match against Surrey at Scarborough. He will also feature in their One-Day Cup fixtures and remain with the team until the Championship concludes in September.

Imam’s recent form adds to his credentials. In March this year, he played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan Television clinch the President’s Cup, one of the country’s major domestic tournaments. His familiarity with English pitches and domestic setups could prove valuable for Yorkshire in this crucial stretch of the season.Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket, expressed his delight at the signing. “We’re delighted that Imam has joined us and that he will be available immediately,” Hamilton said. “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.”