Following an injury suffered during the tournament opener against New Zealand at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday, Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman is probably going to be ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
While fielding in the first over of New Zealand’s innings, Zaman had an injury scare. The left-handed batter stumbled and had to get off the ground for medical examination. He returned to the field briefly, but he quickly left once more, casting questions on his fitness.
The most recent report from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) indicates that Fakhar will not be flying with the squad to Dubai for their much awaited encounter against India on February 23.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is supposed to formally declare his situation in due time. For the balance of the competition, opening batter Imam-ul-Haq is probably going to replace Fakhar.
Having joined the Pakistan Shaheens team for the Champions Trophy warm-up against South Africa, Imam displayed his form by hitting 98 runs in the game. Defending champions Pakistan lost 60-runs against New Zealand in the opening tournament game.
Targeting a difficult 321, the Men in Green were bowled out for 260 runs; Babar Azam scored 64 from 90 deliveries, Khushdil Shah was the leading scorer with 69 runs off 49 deliveries.
While Glenn Phillips’s quickfire 61 off 39 deliveries gave New Zealand a vital boost in their total, Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries. In their next game, a must-win event to maintain their title defense aspirations alive, Pakistan will now face arch-rivals India.
