Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman throughout the opening match of Champions Trophy 2025 in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, 2025. — Reuters
In a big setback for Pakistan’s cricket crew, opener Fakhar Zaman has been dominated out of the rest of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as a consequence of a critical damage, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday.
The left-handed batter sustained a muscular sprain throughout the opening over in opposition to New Zealand at Karachi’s Nationwide Financial institution Stadium on February 19.
The incident occurred when Zaman awkwardly fell whereas fielding, resulting in his quick withdrawal from the match.
The PCB has since confirmed that he was present process evaluation and additional updates will comply with.
Within the newest assertion on this regard, the cricket governing physique mentioned that Zaman was not accompanying the squad leaving for Dubai for the subsequent match.
“Fakhar Zaman’s injury is of serious nature. He will not be able to play the remainder of the tournament,” the PCB mentioned.
Fakhar Zaman. — PCB
Sources mentioned that in gentle of this growth, the PCB had approached the ICC Technical Committee to approve a substitute, with Imam-ul-Haq rising as a number one candidate to fill the opening slot, whereas Zaman had been requested to report back to the Excessive Efficiency Centre, Lahore.
His damage compounds Pakistan’s challenges, particularly after their 60-run defeat to New Zealand within the event’s inaugural match.
Chasing a frightening 321-run goal, the house aspect may accumulate 260 earlier than getting bowled out within the forty eighth over regardless of half-centuries from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah.
The crew is now getting ready for an important encounter in opposition to arch-rivals India in Dubai on February 23, the place securing a victory is crucial to maintain their championship aspirations alive.
The absence of Zaman, identified for his aggressive batting, has disrupted Pakistan’s top-order technique.
The cricket fever is excessive amongst followers as Pakistan is internet hosting an ICC occasion after a 29-year hiatus. The nation final hosted an ICC occasion in 1996 — ICC Cricket World Cup 1996, which concluded with the ultimate on the Gaddafi Stadium, the place Sri Lanka defeated Australia by seven wickets.
The eight-team event might be performed throughout three venues in Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi — in addition to in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19 February to 9 March.
Within the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy, the three venues in Pakistan — Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, Nationwide Financial institution Cricket Stadium Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – have undergone main upgrades, providing gamers and spectators world-class services.
The build-up has not been with out issues after neighbours and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions. A powerhouse of the game on and off the pitch, India will as an alternative play their matches in Dubai.
The nation has stepped up safety, particularly in host cities Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, even when assaults in main cities are more and more uncommon.
