Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025

In a dramatic twist to Pakistan’s Champions Trophy journey, star opener Fakhar Zaman has been forced to bow out of the tournament after sustaining a muscular sprain during the high-octane clash against New Zealand on February 19, 2025. The injury, which occurred in the very first over while fielding, has left the team scrambling to fill the void left by one of their most explosive batsmen.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the unfortunate news, revealing that Zaman’s injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament. This development comes as a significant blow to Pakistan’s campaign, especially considering Zaman’s heroics in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where his blistering century against India propelled Pakistan to a historic victory.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan didn’t mince words when addressing the impact of Zaman’s absence. “Losing Fakhar is a huge setback. His ability to dominate the powerplay and finish strong in the death overs is unmatched. We’ll need to rethink our strategy moving forward,” Rizwan stated.

Who will replace Fakhar Zaman?

With Zaman out, all eyes are now on the PCB to announce a suitable replacement. Speculation is rife that Imam ul Haq, a seasoned campaigner with over 3,000 ODI runs to his name, might step into the breach. However, filling Zaman’s shoes is no small feat, given his knack for delivering under pressure.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Pakistan, who are set to face arch-rivals India in a high-stakes showdown on February 23 in Dubai. The match, already brimming with anticipation, now carries added weight as Pakistan seek to regroup and recalibrate their batting lineup.

As the tournament unfolds, Pakistan’s ability to adapt and overcome this setback will be put to the test. The absence of a key player like Fakhar Zaman is undeniably a hurdle, but it also presents an opportunity for others to rise to the occasion and etch their names in cricketing lore.

Also, see:

BCCI announces IPL 2025 schedule