Fakhar Zaman under assessment after injury scare in Champions Trophy opener

The Champions Trophy (CT 25) commence with Pakistan (PAK) taking on New Zealand (NZ) in the first game, at the National Stadium in Karachi, on Wednesday, February 19. The hosts won the toss and opted to field first. Skipper Mohammed Rizwan revealed that Haris Rauf, who got injured during the tri-series was back in the squad. On the other hand, Rachin Ravindra, who got injured in the same series, missed the game due to the recovery process. 

When things were looking good, another setback hit the Pakistan team right at the start of the game. The Champions Trophy 2025 opener was just two deliveries old when Fakhar Zaman dealt a potential injury. The Kiwi opener Will Young drove pacer Shaheen Afridi’s fuller delivery through the covers as it beat the in-field. Fakhar rushed to save the boundary by nabbing the ball before handing it over to Babar Azam. However, soon after he felt a discomfort in his back and signalled the team physio to attend him. Eventually, he trudged back to the dressing room. 

"Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain and further updates will be provided in due course," PCB said in a statement quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Babar's strength is number 3: Mohammad Amir

There was another injury blow to Pakistan as opener Saim Ayub twisted his ankle during the Test series against South Africa. He missed the Champions Trophy and it was decided that Babar would let go of his one-down batting spot and open with Fakhar in the global event. However, former Pakistan pacer, Mohammad Amir showed discontentment over this move. 

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"As I told you, my strength is that if I don't get to bowl with a new ball, I won't be able to use it because it's my strength, a new ball. And I should be picked with my strength. Babar's strength is number 3. He knows how to build innings from there. The opener's role is different in T20. In One-Day and Test, the role is different,” Amir said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

"He has to do it in phases. In 10 overs, I have to take a chance. In the next 10 overs, I have to build a partnership. The role is different. Babar, yes, he's a big player. But I think he should have played at number 3. This is his strength. Yes, when you're stuck, you try different things. Maybe I should take runs from here or there,” the former Pakistan pacer concluded.