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A massive setback for Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as their aggressive left-hand batter, Fakhar Zaman, is ruled out of the tournament. He faced a knee injury during the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand. On the second ball of the match, Fakhar sustained an injury while chasing the ball in mid-off. It seemed as if an old injury had surfaced. This is more worrying for Pakistan because now they do not have any specialist opener batsmen left in the squad. 

We know their opening batsman, Saim Ayub, was already ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Now Fakhar Zaman is not travelling to Dubai for the biggest rivalry of cricket, the India–Pakistan match. As we know, Fakhar was the player of the match in the historical final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against India. He smashed a brilliant century and made 114 runs in that match and set a winning total of 338 runs for Pakistan. Team India lost that match by 180 runs as they were all out on just 159.

Fakhar Zaman’s Lack Leaves Pakistan in the Very First Match

Yesterday, Fakhar went off the field in the first over, and Kamran Ghulam took his place in fielding. New Zealand Played well and scored a big total of 320 runs. Will Young and Tom Latham both scored brilliant hundreds. Due to injury, Fakhar was not able to come bat in the opening for Pakistan. So Saud Shakeel came to bat with Babar Azam to start the innings for Pakistan.

Pakistan needed a fast start while chasing such a big total, but both the batsmen could not do so. Shakeel got out after scoring just 6 runs. However, Pakistan skipper also looked out of touch. Pakistan made just 22 runs in the first power play. Then, Fakhar Zaman came to bat, but due to injury, he did not play his natural aggressive game. Babar played a criticizing inning of 64 runs in 90 deliveries. Although Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah played well. But in the end, Pakistan still lost the match by 60 runs.

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