Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman who got injured during the Champions Trophy 2025 opener clash against New Zealand will not travel to Dubai alongside Mohammad Rizwan led side for their second league match. Pakistan will travel to Dubai for their second league match which will be against arch-rivals India scheduled to take place on February 23 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
As per PCB sources close to Sports Tak, Fakhar Zaman not travelling with the side to Dubai. The ICC will make further announcements in due course.
Star Pakistan opener has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering an oblique injury during the tournament opener against New Zealand. This is a massive blow to Mohammad Rizwan-led side ahead of their high-octane clash against Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team. PCB has announced Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement for the remainder of the mega tournament.
Fakhar Zaman injury
The opening batter got injured while fielding against New Zealand. Zaman who was stationed at mid-off during Shaheen Shah Afridi's first over was running towards a boundary on the second ball of the opener clash. Zaman left the field holding his lower back following a fielding effort to prevent the ball from going to the boundary. Despite injury, Zaman fielded for a while, but could not open the innings. He walked into bat at No. 4 but his struggle with injury looked evident. His painful stay lasted 41 balls in which he scored a breezy 24 before being dismissed by Michael Bracewell.
Pakistan have already lost their first league match against New Zealand and now the upcoming clash against India will be a do-or-die clash of the hosts to stay in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal race. Pakistan will play their third league match against Bangladesh. The defending champions need to win their remaining matches to stay in the race
