Fakhar Zaman had a muscular sprain on just the second ball of their New Zealand fixture while attempting to stop a boundary and was in immediate pain.
After an abysmal start to the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, Pakistan have suffered another massive blow: Fakhar Zaman is doubtful for the remainder of the tournament. Fakhar had a muscular sprain on just the second ball of their New Zealand fixture while attempting to stop a boundary and was in immediate pain.
He instantly went on the sidelines and didn’t return for fielding for an elaborate period in the first innings. Fakhar received temporary aid but couldn’t open the innings due to the ICC rules, which prevented him from batting as an opener due to not being on the field.
He came at No.4 but looked in obvious pain, for his movements were restricted, and he mostly relied on hitting big shots. The southpaw could only assemble 24 runs in 41 balls, including four boundaries, before losing his wicket in order to break shackles.
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Fresh reports suggest Fakhar will not travel with the rest of his team to Dubai, where Pakistan will face the arch-rivals India in a must-win encounter. He will stay back in Pakistan to continue his treatment, and his participation in the later stage remains in jeopardy.
Fakhar Zaman’s absence is a massive blow for Pakistan – he is one of their premium openers and can bat briskly. He did the job of utilising the powerplay overs and providing impetus to the innings from the top.
Pakistan are already without Saim Ayub, who was ruled out of the competition due to a fractured ankle. That means the Men in Green are missing both first-choice openers capable of playing quickly, and Pakistan must find another opener to partner Babar Azam at the top.
Saud Shakeel came to open with Babar against New Zealand but has obvious weaknesses against speedsters. Babar also has strike rate issues, which resurfaced in the previous game, so the opening combination looks feeble.
They have announced Imam-ul-Haq for their next fixture to replace an injured Fakhar Zaman in the squad. Pakistan face India on Sunday (February 23) in Dubai.
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