Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy journey started disappointingly, with a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the opening match. The loss was further compounded by the injury of key player Fakhar Zaman, who will be out for the remainder of the tournament.
Zaman sustained an injury on just the second ball of the match and spent most of New Zealand’s innings off the field. Due to ICC regulations, he couldn’t open the innings and instead came in to bat after Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal.
Despite his injury, Zaman displayed immense grit as he managed to score 24 runs off 41 balls before being dismissed. Overcome with emotion, he was seen in tears while leaving the field. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi attempted to console him, but the heartbreak was visible. The video of this emotional moment, shared by the ICC on social media, quickly went viral.
Medical reports confirmed he had suffered an oblique injury, making him unavailable for the rest of the tournament. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement.
Pakistan prepare for must-win clash against India
After losing to New Zealand in the opening match, Pakistan now faces a do-or-die situation as they take on India in their next match at the Dubai International Stadium. A loss to their arch-rivals would significantly dent their semi-final hopes.
To stay in contention, Pakistan must not only defeat India but also beat Bangladesh. Additionally, they would have to rely on favorable results from other matches, including India and Bangladesh defeating New Zealand—a scenario that seems difficult but not impossible.
With their backs against the wall, Pakistan will need to deliver a strong performance to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive.
