Champions Trophy 2025: Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out of Pakistan-India Clash in Dubai Due to Injury

Karachi, February 15, 2025 – Pakistan suffered a major setback ahead of their highly anticipated clash against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday that Fakhar would not be traveling with the team to Dubai, where the crucial match is set to take place on Sunday, February 18.

Fakhar Zaman's Injury and Its Impact

Fakhar sustained the injury during Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Wednesday. The injury occurred early in the game while fielding, forcing him off the field and preventing him from playing his usual role as an opener.

The PCB issued an official statement saying:

“Fakhar Zaman is not traveling with the side to Dubai. The ICC will make further announcements in due course.”

With Fakhar being the only conventional opener in Pakistan’s current squad, his absence is a significant blow to the team’s balance and strategy. In his absence, Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam were forced to open against New Zealand, which resulted in an unsteady start to the innings.

High-Stakes Pakistan vs. India Clash

Pakistan’s next match will be against arch-rivals India on Sunday in Dubai, a game that has already garnered significant global attention. Due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, the ICC, PCB, and BCCI agreed on a two-way hybrid model, allowing all of India’s Champions Trophy matches to be played in Dubai.

The decision meant that Pakistan had to travel mid-tournament to Dubai, an added challenge that could impact their performance. The absence of Fakhar Zaman, one of Pakistan’s most experienced openers, further complicates their preparations.

Pakistan’s Struggles in the Tournament Opener

Pakistan had a disappointing start to their Champions Trophy campaign, losing their opening match against New Zealand by 60 runs. Chasing a 321-run target, the Green Shirts collapsed for 260 all out, struggling with poor shot selection and a lack of consistency.

Key issues in the match included:
✅ Inconsistent Batting – Pakistan played a shocking 152 dot balls, reflecting their lack of strike rotation.
✅ Bowling Concerns – The bowling attack failed to contain New Zealand’s batting lineup, allowing them to post a challenging total of 321.
✅ Tactical Missteps – The absence of a regular opener forced Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel to start the innings, disrupting Pakistan’s usual batting order.

What’s Next for Pakistan?

With Fakhar Zaman sidelined, Pakistan will have to rethink their batting strategy. Possible options include:

• Abdullah Shafique or Imam-ul-Haq being called in as a replacement.
• Mohammad Rizwan moving up the order to open alongside Babar Azam.
• Saud Shakeel retaining the opener’s spot, despite being a middle-order batter.

With India also facing internal challenges, including injuries to key players, Pakistan must regroup quickly to keep their Champions Trophy defense alive.

Conclusion

The loss of Fakhar Zaman is a huge setback for Pakistan ahead of one of the biggest matches of the tournament. With India vs. Pakistan being more than just a cricket match – a battle of prestige, history, and rivalry – Pakistan will need to overcome adversity, strategize effectively, and deliver their best performance in Dubai.

Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await this blockbuster clash on Sunday, where Pakistan will look to bounce back from their opening defeat and India will aim to maintain their dominance on neutral ground.