Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025; Pakistan announce replacement

Pakistan has suffered a huge blow as Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to chest muscular pain. Fakhar Zaman sustained the injury during Pakistan’s tournament opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 19.

Just two balls into Shaheen Afridi’s first over, New Zealand opener Will Young played a cover drive, sending the ball racing toward the boundary. Fakhar Zaman, who was fielding at mid-off, sprinted to stop the boundary and made a diving effort.

Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

However, the Pakistani opener landed awkwardly and injured himself. Despite the discomfort, Fakhar stayed on the field for some time, but he had to leave the field after significant pain in his back and chest. Later, the 34-year-old player failed to open the innings due to the ICC rules.

Read Also: Mohammad Hafeez blasts Pakistan as Fakhar Zaman's fitness gamble backfires

Well, the left-handed batter came to bat at No. 4, but it was clear he was struggling. His movements looked restricted, and he couldn’t play freely. Battling through the pain, Fakhar managed 24 runs off 41 balls before the New Zealand bowler Michael Bracewell brought his painful innings to an end.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman will not reportedly travel to Dubai, where Pakistan will face India in the much-awaited match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday (February 23). The Pakistani opener was ruled out of the high-octane clash as well as the rest of the tournament.

Imam-ul-Haq to replace Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan squad for the rest of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistani opener received the setback after scans showed no positive signs, forcing him to miss the rest of the tournament. It is being said that Fakhar has been ruled out of the rest of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Notably, Fakhar was part of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy glory.

Imam-ul-Haq is all set to be named as Fakhar’s replacement in the Pakistan squad for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, with the International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expected to make an official announcement soon.

Imam-ul-Haq will replace Fakhar in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad.#ChampionsTrophy2025 https://t.co/G72u28544A

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) February 20, 2025

Meanwhile, after the substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam replaced Zaman in the field during Pakistan’s tournament opener, the PCB had confirmed that the opening batter suffered a "muscular sprain". The PCB had stated, “Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain, and further updates will be provided in due course.”

Read Also: "Get Out"- Wasim Akram to Babar Azam after Pakistan get mauled in Champions Trophy 2025 opener

Pakistan vs New Zealand Match Recap in Brief

Speaking about the match, after being put in to bat by Pakistan, New Zealand put up a strong total of 320/5, thanks to brilliant centuries from Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (an unbeaten 118). Their efforts were further boosted by a quickfire 61 off 39 balls from Glenn Phillips. Notably, Young became the first batter to score a hundred in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

In response, Pakistan struggled to keep up with the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for 260 to suffer a 60-run defeat in the tournament opener. Babar Azam fought hard for a slow fifty, while Khushdil Shah top-scored with 69. Salman Agha also played a brisk knock of 42 off 28 balls, but it wasn’t enough. Will O’Rourke (3/47) starred with the ball for the Kiwis.