New Zealand have got a big blow just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as their star in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Rachin Ravindra, got a freak injury on his face during the ODI tri-series opener against the hosts Pakistan on Saturday (February 8) night at Lahore.

New Zealand won the toss in the ODI tri-series opener and chose to bat first. While the Blackcaps scored 330/6 in 50 overs, the hosts Pakistan only managed to score 252 runs in 47.5 overs, as New Zealand won by 78 runs. 

See Also: Shaheen Shah Afridi sets unwanted record in Lahore ODI against New Zealand

Rachin Ravindra was bleeding 

The freak injury incident happened during the 38th over of Pakistan's innings, where the hosts were struggling at 198/5. The left-arm spinner Michael Bracewell was bowling that over while Khushdil Shah, batting on 12 off 15 balls, played a slog sweep towards the deep square leg, where Rachin Ravindra was fielding. It was catchable for Ravindra, but he lost the ball possibly due to floodlights, and the ball hit him in the face.

Oh No! Newzealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is hitted on his face during talking a catch.
Hope not so serious ❤️‍🩹(video credit:@FanCode)#PAKvsNZ#RachinRavindra#ChampionsTrophy2025 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/xS6uJn6QY5

— BCCI🍥 (@Physics565102) February 8, 2025

After that blow, Ravindra was unmoved for a while before reacting to his pain. Meanwhile, the whole stadium went silent on that sudden incident. While a stretcher was rushed on, Ravindra was heavily bleeding and ultimately walked off the field with care on his upper face. It was never a positive-looking site, and it can be a big blow for the Blackcaps in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 mission.

Ravindra fired with 25 runs and also bowled three overs before injury

Talking about New Zealand batting, Daryl Mitchell slammed 106 not out off 74 balls with the help of six fours and seven sixes. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson scored 58 off 89 balls, and Daryl Mitchell scored 81 off 84 balls. Opener Rachin Ravindra scored 25 off just 19 balls, where the left-handed batter hit five fours. Later, the left-arm spinner Ravindra had the bowling figures of 3-0-14-0.