Blow for Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman’s Asia Cup 2025 in jeopardy after severe hamstring injury
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Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the West Indies tour due to a hamstring strain, and plans for the Asia Cup 2025 are in doubt as uncertainty prevails over the batter's probable return.
Pakistan is on tour against the West Indies, having recently concluded the T20I series against the men from the Caribbean islands at the Lauderhill Stadium. They are scheduled to play three more ODI games in the upcoming days.
Fakhar Zaman, who got starts in both T20Is he featured in, could not convert it to something promising, as he got 28 and 20. Eventually, Fakhar Zaman was replaced by Khushdil Shah in the playing 11 for the final T20I.
Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the West Indies series
Pakistan's top-order batter Fakhar Zaman, one of the most experienced batsmen in the side, has been ruled out of the remainder of the series against the West Indies. He did not play in the final T20I game and will also miss the upcoming ODI series in the Caribbean.
He sustained a left hamstring injury while chasing a ball in the 19th over of the second T20I at Lauderhill. A subsequent medical assessment by the team's support staff confirmed a mild strain to his left hamstring.
The PCB has now confirmed that immediate treatment and initial management were provided, and Fakhar is hopefully flying back to Pakistan on the 4th of August, while the team will be busy playing against the West Indies in the final T20I.
He will have to undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. The 35-year-old's injury draws resemblance to the one he sustained during the Champions Trophy as well, where he had replaced Saim Ayub.
The three ODIs will be played in Trinidad, and the PCB is yet to announce any replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the ODI squad.
Pakistan to play in tri-nation series before Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan is taking the Asia Cup 2025 as a huge opportunity to get their lost honour, as they have failed in the last few ICC or ACC events they have featured in. This Asia Cup, hence, marks an opportunity for them to gain some confidence ahead of next year's ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Citing preparations, PCB had proposed a tri-series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Asia Cup 2025 host nation, UAE. The UAE Cricket Board has agreed to the tri-nation series and has scheduled the series from the 29th of August, with 7 games ending on the 7th of September, just two days before the onset of the Asia Cup on the 9th of September.
The matches are likely to be played at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Ground, which will be a great preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup for all three teams.
PCB postpones Pakistan's white-ball tour to 2027
After announcing the tri-series, the Pakistan Cricket Board looked at the hectic schedule for the coming year and has hence decided to relieve their players of some workload by postponing the white-ball series against Ireland.
The white-ball series was supposed to be held in the September-October window after the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025, but the PCB has postponed it to 2027. The dates are yet to be announced and confirmed.
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Pakistan National Cricket Team West Indies National Cricket Team Pakistan vs West Indies Fakhar Zaman Asia Cup 2025 Asia Cup West Indies vs Pakistan
