Fakhar Zaman suffered a knee injury while fielding during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand at National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Pakistan’s star opener was taken off the field for medical assessment.
The injury occurred in the opening over when Zaman, positioned at mid-off, sprinted to stop a boundary after a powerful drive by New Zealand’s Will Young. While attempting a sliding stop, he hurt his knee, immediately showing signs of discomfort.
Holding his waist and foot in visible pain, Zaman left the field for medical attention from the team physio. Kamran Ghulam stepped in as a substitute fielder. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later issued an update, confirming that Zaman’s condition is under observation after suffering a stretch while fielding. Although he briefly returned to the field, he exited soon after.
Notably, Pakistan had already suffered a setback ahead of the tournament, with Saim Ayub ruled out due to a right ankle fracture sustained during the second Test against South Africa at Newlands in January.
Pakistan, playing on home soil, won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the much-awaited tournament opener. This edition marks Pakistan’s first time hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in nearly three decades.
Playing XIs for Pakistan vs New Zealand
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke.