New Delhi: Pakistan suffered a massive blow ahead of their must-win ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India in Dubai as star batter Fakhar Zaman was ruled out due to a chest muscular injury. The Pakistan opener sustained the injury on the second ball of the tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19.
Following the incident in the first over, Fakhar walked off and did not return to the field for the Mohammad Rizwan-led side. However, he came out to bat at No. 4 during the 321-run chase and looked in pain. The left-hander faced 41 balls during his stay at the crease and scored 24 runs including four boundaries.
As reported by the Pakistani publication Dawn, The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed his absence from the India match by releasing a statement saying that the batter will not travel to Dubai for the India clash scheduled on February 23.
Big blow for Pakistan ahead of must-win tie against India
After losing the opener against the Kiwis by 60 runs, Pakistan find themselves in a must-win situation in the high-octane match against arch-rivals India, who open their campaign against Bangladesh today (Thursday, February 20).
It is another blow for The Men In Green in their first global tournament at home in 28 years. The defending champions are already missing the services of young opener Saim Ayub in CT 2025 due to an ankle injury and the news of Zaman getting ruled out of the India clash has worsened their situation.
Fakhar was the match-winner for Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final win over India. The left-handed batter scored 114 runs from 106 balls against Virat Kohli-led side and helped his side with their maiden Champions Trophy title eight years ago at The Oval, London. He was deservedly named Player of the Match award in the 2017 Champions Trophy summit clash.
Pakistan missed Fakhar’s services badly against New Zealand as openers Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel failed to give early impetus to Pakistan’s innings while chasing a massive 321-run target.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan have suffered a massive injury setback ahead of the must-win high-octane clash against India in Dubai on February 23, Sunday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
