Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy due to injury, confirms PCB

Pakistan’s sole genuine opening batsman in the Champions Trophy squad, Fakhar Zaman, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy after suffering an injury while fielding in the opening match against New Zealand in Karachi.According to PCB, the national team is set to depart for Dubai today (Thursday) for their crucial clash against India on Feb 23. However, Fakhar Zaman will not be traveling with the squad.Reports indicated that his injury was serious, making him unavailable for the rest of the tournament.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached the ICC Technical Committee for a replacement, with Imamul Haq emerging as the frontrunner for the spot.Fakhar suffered the injury in the first over while fielding against New Zealand. Despite leaving the field twice for treatment, he continued playing but was visibly struggling during his batting innings.INAUSPICIOUS START FOR PAKISTANNew Zealand rode on brilliant hundreds from Tom Latham and Will Young to beat Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy opener on Wednesday, spoiling the country’s historic return to hosting global events after three decades.President Asif Ali Zardari joined thousands of fans at the National Stadium in Karachi as Pakistan hosted its first International Cricket Council event since 1996.But a poor performance from the home team left a packed 29,300 crowd disappointed as Pakistan were dismissed for 260 in 47.2 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 320-5 in 50 overs.Pakistan were never in the chase despite Khushdil Shah top-scoring with a fiery 49-ball 69, including 10 boundaries and a six, while Babar Azam scored a more sedate 64 from 90 balls that had a six and six boundaries.Salman Agha cracked a rapid 42 spiced with a six and six boundaries but none could go on and match Latham and Young’s knocks.Fast bowler Will O’Rourke finished with 3-47 while skipper Mitchell Santner took 3-66 as New Zealand made it three wins in as many matches against the hosts following their two tri-series wins last week.”We were thinking of 260-280, but it shows what you can do if you have a platform and wickets in hand,” said Santner.”Our ground fielding was good and to get Rizwan out with an excellent catch by Phillips was outstanding,” said Santner of Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal to a catch at backward point for just three.Rizwan rued Fakhar Zaman’s injury that prevented him from opening the innings.”Losing (Fakhar) Zaman was crucial,” said Rizwan of the opener who hurt a chest muscle while fielding.”We didn’t expect they would get 320. We thought around 260 but they ended the innings well.”