Fakhar Zaman ruled out of The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with injury.

File: Fakhar Zaman credit ICC

Pakistan star opening batter Fakhar Zaman is ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering from a back injury in the 1st match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. It is a big blow to the Pakistan team as Fakhar Zaman is their go-to man in crunch situations.

Pakistan Team which is already under immense pressure after being thumped by New Zealand at National Stadium Karachi in the tournament curtain-raiser, is now handed another massive blow as Fakhar Zaman is ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury. 

Fakhar Zaman played many crucial knocks for his teams in crunch situations like he scored a hundred against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, which eventually Pakistan won by 180 runs. So, losing out on a player of the caliber of Fakhar Zaman who is a certain match-winner will add further problems for the Pakistan team.

Pakistan team is already without Saim Ayub who was ruled out earlier from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a Knee Injury.

Pakistan Cricket's last day that "we are looking into Fakhar Zaman's injury and waiting for Doctor's reports to understand if will he be available for the India clash or not".

Fakhar Zaman who has played 86 ODIs for Pakistan and averaged above 46 suffered a muscle strain in the 1st Innings of the 1st match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He wasn't able to open the Innings eventually Saud Shakeel opened the innings along with Babar Azam. Zaman batted at no. 4 and scored 26 off 41 balls in the match which eventually New Zealand won by 60 runs. He was visibly struggling while batting.

Earlier today Fakhar Zaman posted on "X" Unfortunately I am ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury but surely ALLAH is the best planner. I am grateful for the opportunities provided to me. I will cheer for the team from home". 

Fakhar Zaman has made a comeback to the Pakistan side after one year when he played the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The opener has a history of knee problems. So, it may keep him out of cricket for the next few months. 

PCB earlier today announced that "Fakhar Zaman is out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to an oblique injury that he sustained during the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand and Imam ul Haq will be his replacement for the mega event". PCB's announcement came after the ICC technical committee's approval.

The ICC Champions Trophy Technical Committee Includes Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager-Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director- International Cricket Operations), and Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).

Imam Ul Haq has last played for Pakistan in the ICC ODI World 2023 in India. He has represented Pakistan in 72 ODI and scored 3138 runs at a healthy average of 48.27 and at a strike rate of 82.55 including 9 hundreds and 20 fifties. His career best is 151 which he scored against England at Bristol.

Pakistan will play its next match against arch-rivals India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025. It will be a do-or-die match for the green shirts if they want to stay in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan's Early elimination chances are now increased after back-to-back defeats and injury problems.

We will have to see how the Pakistan team will play without Fakhar Zaman in the all-important clash against India.

So, what do you think about who will win the India vs Pakistan match on February 23, 2025? And how much impact Fakhar Zaman's absence will have on the team Pakistan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Now we will answer some frequently asked questions.

How was Fakhar Zaman Injured?

Fakhar Zaman suffered an oblique injury just two deliveries into the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. He was chasing the ball to cut the boundary although he saved the runs but in the process hurt himself.

Who is the Replacement of Fakhar Zaman?

Earlier Today PCB announced that Imam ul Haq will replace Fakhar Zaman for the remaining matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Is Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

PCB has confirmed today that Fakhar Zaman is ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy after suffering an oblique injury.

Which Pakistani player got injured recently?

Pakistan's Destructive opening batsman Fakhar Zaman sustained an oblique injury during the 1st over of the match between Pakistan and New Zealand on 19 February 2025. He was taken off the field. Later PCB confirmed that Fakhar Zaman is ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Imam Ul Haq will be his replacement in the next matches.