Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign has been dealt a blow as opening batsman Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury sustained during the team’s opening match against New Zealand, sources confirmed on Thursday.
Team sources revealed that doctors have advised the left-handed batter to take complete rest, making him unavailable for the remainder of the competition. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to issue an official statement soon regarding his replacement.
Zaman suffered the injury while fielding in the first over of the match at the National Stadium Karachi. While attempting to stop a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s delivery, he successfully saved the ball but landed awkwardly near the boundary rope. He immediately clutched his lower back and signaled for a substitute fielder.
The team’s physiotherapist attended to him on the field before escorting him to the dressing room for further assessment. However, medical evaluations confirmed that he needed rest, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament.
With Pakistan opting to bowl first against New Zealand, Zaman’s absence forces the team to reconsider its opening combination for the remaining matches.
His exit is a significant blow for the Green Shirts, as he was expected to play a crucial role at the top of the order. The PCB is likely to announce his replacement in the coming days.
