New Delhi: Pakistan suffered an early setback in the ICC Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand after their star opener Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury on the second ball of the marquee tournament at the National Stadium in Karachi. Fakhar, who returned from a long injury lay-off in the recently concluded tri-series involving the Kiwis and South Africa, went down injured near the boundary rope while chasing a ball and was taken off the field.
The extent and the injury are unknown as Fakhar went down in instalments as he came close to the ball. Judging by the replays, he might have done the damage before he crouched to field the field the ball.
The explosive batter immediately signalled his distress and discomfort to the dugout. He made his way off the field, holding his lower back, and sat near the advertising board, crestfallen from the latest setback.
Early setback for Pakistan!
Fakhar Zaman walks off after a diving attempt, Kamran Ghulam comes into field
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Fakhar Zaman Injury #iccchampionstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/OUMQjknTr2
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PAK opt to bowl in opener
Earlier, defending champions and hosts Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl in the tournament opener. Pakistan, winners of the previous edition in 2017, are aiming to mount a successful title defence on home turf.
The eight-nation ICC marquee event marks the first major global tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades.
Fakhar, once a key member of the Pakistan white-ball setup, returned to international cricket recently for the first time since the 2024 T20 World Cup last June in the USA and West Indies. Before featuring in the tri-series at home in the tune-up to the CT 2025, Fakhar’s last ODI was in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The left-handed batter shot to prominence with a title-winning 114 against India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final at The Oval in London.
Fakhar Zaman injury: Pakistan suffered a major setback in the first over of the ICC Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at the Karachi Stadium in Karachi. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
