Courtesy: ICC
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman was seen breaking down in the dressing room during the Champions Trophy 2025 opening match between the hosts and New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium on February 19. The Men in Green were completely outclassed by the Kiwi side in all departments of the game which eventually resulted in the defending champions’ 60-run loss. Following the match, Team Pakistan are facing anger from their fans and former cricketers. The defeat against the Black Caps has made the match against their arch-rivals India on February 23 do-or-die. If India walks back victorious in the blockbuster match, it’s highly possible that Pakistan might face elimination in the competition.
In their first match, Pakistan were heavily relying on their star batter Zaman to put up stiff competition against New Zealand. However, the second delivery of the match saw Zaman struggling with lower-back pain after he saved a boundary for his team. In the second innings of the match, Zaman came at number four and played a slow-knock of 24 off 41. During his innings, he was seen struggling with the ache. However, a clip that saddened Pakistan supporters was Zaman crying in the dressing room after his dismissal.
In the video, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was seen consoling him. Zaman’s injury has ruled him out of the tournament and Imam-ul-Haq will be now filling the veteran’s shoes to fill the vacant opening slot.
Watch the video here:
Pakistan will have to win against India to keep their knockout hopes alive
Pakistan will have to beat India in the Sunday game at Dubai to advance to the semi-finals. The Green Shirts’ recent ODI record against India will haunt them as they have got only one win against the Men in Blue in the 50-over format in the last 10 years. Except for the Champions Trophy 2017 final loss, India have tasted success in every ODI game played between the two sides from 2015 to 2025.
On one hand, Pakistan are looking shattered before the high-octane clash on Sunday while on the other hand, India are looking completely confident after their six-wicket win against Bangladesh in Dubai. In their last ODI against India in the World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Pakistan faced a crushing seven-wicket defeat.
