India, Feb. 22 -- First, it was Saim Ayub before the start of the Champions Trophy followed by Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan's tournament opener against New Zealand. Losing two of their established top-order batters to injury has left Pakistan scurrying for options against their virtual do-or-die encounter against India on Sunday.

Imam-ul-Haq, Zaman's replacement, had his first hit in the nets under lights at the ICC academy ground in Dubai on Friday. Pakistan is coming off a defeat against New Zealand in Karachi and will be under pressure to beat their arch-rivals or stare at an early exit in a world event where they are hosts after 29 years.

"When you lose two in-form players, it changes your batting line-up. Our combinations have been dis...