Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign began on a worrying note as opener Fakhar Zaman suffered a muscle strain during their first match against New Zealand at the National Stadium. Fakhar had to leave the field after facing just two deliveries, adding to Pakistan’s growing list of injury concerns.
PCB Confirms Fakhar Zaman’s Injury
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement confirming that Fakhar Zaman is undergoing medical tests to evaluate the extent of his muscle strain. The board assured that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
“Fakhar Zaman is being assessed for a muscle strain, and we will share updates as soon as possible,” the PCB stated.
How Did Fakhar Zaman Get Injured – The injury occurred in the opening over of New Zealand’s innings when Will Young drove a delivery from Shaheen Afridi through the covers. In an attempt to prevent a boundary, Fakhar sprinted hard and successfully stopped the ball, quickly throwing it back to Babar Azam. However, right after the play, he showed signs of discomfort in his lower back and had to walk off the field with the team physio. This injury comes at a tough time for Pakistan, who are already dealing with the loss of Saim Ayub, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured ankle sustained during a Test match against South Africa. Fakhar was brought back into the ODI squad to fill the gap, making his exit even more concerning for the team.
A Silver Lining for Pakistan – Amid the injury woes, Pakistan did receive some good news—Haris Rauf was declared fit to play after recovering from a side strain. His return is a major boost for the team as they try to navigate these early setbacks.
A Historic Moment for Pakistan Cricket – This match carries special significance beyond the injuries, as it marks the return of ICC tournament cricket to Pakistan after 28 years—the last time being in 1996. After winning the toss, Babar Azam chose to bowl first against New Zealand, hoping to get an early advantage despite the unexpected injury to Fakhar Zaman. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Fakhar’s recovery and how Pakistan adapts to these challenges in their quest to defend the Champions Trophy title.
