Pakistan faces a major setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as their star opener, Fakhar Zaman, is set to miss the high-stakes match against India. The left-handed batter sustained an injury against New Zealand, making him doubtful for the tournament. His absence is a huge blow to Pakistan’s campaign.
- Fakhar Zaman’s absence weakens Pakistan’s top order.
- His aggressive starts will be missed in crucial matches.
- He was the hero of the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India.
1) Fakhar Zaman’s Outstanding ODI Record
Fakhar Zaman has been a consistent performer in ODI cricket for Pakistan. His statistics highlight his importance to the team.
Fakhar Zaman’s ODI Stats:
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches | 86 |
| Runs | 3651 |
| Average | 46.21 |
| Strike-rates | 93 |
With no Saim Ayub in the squad, Fakhar was Pakistan’s key hope in top-order batting. His absence leaves a significant gap, making the upcoming match against India even more challenging.
2) Lack of Aggression at the Top
Before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan had two aggressive openers: Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman. Unfortunately, Saim was not selected, and now Fakhar is injured. Without him, Pakistan lacks an attacking presence at the top.
During the New Zealand match, Pakistan struggled to chase 321 runs due to a slow start. The team lacked momentum, and Babar Azam was forced to stabilize the innings rather than accelerate. This pressure led to a 60-run defeat.
Comparing aggressive openers in world cricket:
Without Fakhar, Pakistan risks another slow start, making their match against India even tougher.
3) Fakhar Zaman’s Historic Knock Against India
Pakistan fans will remember Fakhar’s heroics in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. He played a match-winning 114-run knock, which helped Pakistan secure the title.
Fakhar Zaman’s CT 2017 Final Performance:
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Runs | 114 |
| Balls | 106 |
| Strike-Rate | 107.55 |
His fearless approach dismantled India’s world-class bowling attack, including Jasprit Bumrah. This time, Bumrah is playing, and Fakhar’s presence could have given Pakistan a psychological advantage. Without him, Pakistan will struggle to replicate their past success.
Can Pakistan Overcome Fakhar’s Absence?
Pakistan must find a strong replacement to compete with India. The selectors might promote an inexperienced opener, but the pressure of an India vs Pakistan clash is immense. The team needs a solid game plan to tackle the situation.
Pakistan’s top-order looks vulnerable without Fakhar Zaman. His aggressive batting, consistency, and past performances make him irreplaceable. The team must now find new strategies to challenge India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
