Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has dismissed rumors about his retirement, calling them "baseless". Fakhar returned to the team during the home tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa but suffered another injury, and he missed the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 because of another injury.

Fakhar Zaman Denies Retirement Rumors, Focuses on Recovery

He got injured while fielding against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. Fakhar felt uncomfortable running or moving, he left in the first over and had to leave for medical evaluation. Though he tried to continue playing, he soon walked off again, raising concerns about his fitness. Later scans confirmed an oblique tear, and then he was ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 out just before Pakistan’s big match against India on February 23 in Dubai.

🚨 FAKHAR ZAMAN DENIES RETIREMENT RUMORS 🚨

Fakhar Zaman said, "There is no truth in the retirement news. I will join the team soon after getting fully fit." pic.twitter.com/PhQR1Cr2AC

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) February 26, 2025

ALSO READ: India's Dominance in ICC ODI Batting Rankings: 4 Stars in the Top 10

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed that Fakhar Zaman ruled out from the tournament and named Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement. Soon after, reports said that Fakhar was thinking about retirement.

However, Fakhar, who is recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, dismissed the rumors and said he is focused on making a strong comeback. “There is no truth in the retirement news,” Fakhar said. “I will be fully fit and join the team soon.” For those who don’t know about Fakhar Zaman , Fakhar made his international debut in 2017 and has played three Tests, 86 ODIs, and 92 T20Is, scoring 5,691 runs, including 11 centuries and 30 fifties.

India Vs Pakistan is the biggest rivalry in cricketing history which consists of high-quality competitiveness and high-voltage drama. The match is played between 11 players but the stake is held between two countries. Already Yesterday we saw the best encounter between England Vs Australia which was a really high-scoring match where 600 above runs were scored. 
Australia opted to field first and within the first innings it seemed it would backfire them where England mounted a mammoth score of 350 plus with Ben Duckett scoring 150 plus runs. It seemed that Australia was done and dusted but, Australia is Australia they are always the champion side. With the help of Inglis century Australia chased the biggest target of ODI history. 
Rivalry In the Champions Trophy
India and Pakistan have played many bilateral series, Test Series and World Cups too. But in the Champions Trophy edition, they first met in 2004 which was a great high-voltage match. Pakistan posted 246/9, and India fell short, scoring 226.
2009 Champions Trophy
India lost the match while chasing the tough total, till the end Pakistan Bowlers held their nerves and delivered the plans perfectly. 
Read More: Spiking Rivalry Between Australia And England
2013 Champions Trophy
In this edition of the Champions Trophy India played Pakistan in Group Stages where Dhoni's men gave a clinical finish and ended Pakistan's dominance and won that edition too. 
2017 Champions Trophy
In the 2017 Champions Trophy India dominated them once in the group stages and won the match convincingly. But at the end of the final between these two teams Pakistan had the upper hand and won the final of that edition. 
Well for the time being it is Pakistan who has the advantage over these giant teams will it remain or change would be found within a few hours being. 
The Next Dawn Of Clash
Once again these teams are going to clash today after 8 years in the Champions Trophy due to COVID-19 restrictions Champions Trophy was upheld for tenure. Champions Pakistan have started their campaign with a loss against New Zealand that too in front of their home crowd. On the other hand, India started their campaign by beating Bangladesh. 
India has decided not to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons so the ongoing match between India and Pakistan commences in Dubai. The toss has been put up in Dubai where Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has won the toss and elected to bat first. Due to an injury claim for Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq has been replaced. India had played one game here so they know the condition very well and may have a slight advantage. It's going to be a crunch encounter between these two teams. 

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan had a tough outing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, and the situation has become tougher for them as the dependable and powerful opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out from the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also announced the replacement.

Fakhar Zaman was injured on the second ball of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

On the second ball of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman, who was the hero for Pakistan in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against India to lift the trophy for the first time, was injured while saving a boundary. After returning the ball to the closest fielder, Fakhar signaled for medical attention as he quickly went off the field. He missed the game for more than two hours before returning to the field in the late moment of the New Zealand innings. As a result, he couldn't come to bat for the first 25 minutes of Pakistan's innings.

Fakhar ultimately came to bat after the first powerplay, while the hosts lost the first two wickets. Chasing the 321-run target against New Zealand, Fakhar was struggling to run and mostly dealing with the boundaries. He scored 24 off 41 balls with four fours before losing his wicket. Pakistan lost the game by 60 runs. 

See Also: India Fielding Comes Under The Radar Where Hardik Drops A Sitter

Imam-ul-Haq replaced Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar has suffered an oblique injury, and he has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has named Imam-ul-Haq as the replacement for the Pakistan opener. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved this replacement.

Fakhar and Imam were once the opening partners for the national team. The 29-year-old Imam-ul-Haq played his last international match in December 2023 when Pakistan faced the hosts Australia in the 2023 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. The left-handed batter's last ODI was against South Africa in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. 

In a big blow to the Pakistan cricket team, opener Fakhar Zaman has been out of the big match against India on Sunday after suffering an injury in the first match of the Champions Trophy. Zaman walked off the field clutching his lower back after making a fielding attempt to stop the ball from reaching the boundary.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman will not be traveling with the team to Dubai for the highly anticipated showdown against India ❌

The aggressive left-hander suffered an injury in the opening game against New Zealand and is now likely to miss the remaining two… pic.twitter.com/nKGAmNYPOB

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 20, 2025

Despite the injury, Zaman batted for a while but could not open the innings. He came in to bat at No. 4 but his battle with injury seemed apparent. His agonizing stay lasted 41 balls during which he made a free-flowing 24 before being caught by Michael Bracewell.
The India-Pakistan encounter is scheduled for Sunday (February 23) in Dubai. It is a virtual elimination match for Pakistan to remain alive in the competition.

ALSO SEE:  Cricket who are the Goku, Naruto and Luffy?

New Zealand Overwhelm Pakistan
New Zealand comprehensively won the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 by 60 runs. Tom Latham (118) and Will Young (107) played outstandingly to lead the side to 320/5 in their 50 overs.

Pakistan, who are already down one game, would play India in a do-or-die encounter in Dubai with full knowledge that their tournament may be over if they lose. The India game will be played on February 23.

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan have got a major blow in the first over of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as their ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final hero suffered an injury on the field. 

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19) afternoon. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first after winning the toss.  

As expected Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered the first over of the tournament while Will Young opened the innings along with his partner Devon Conway. Afridi delivered the first ball to Young which resulted in a dot ball. On the second ball of the tournament, Young drove Afridi’s fuller and wider delivery to the cover and ran for three runs. 

See Also: Afghanistan’s Oldest and Youngest Players Set for Champions Trophy 2025 Glory

Fakhar Zaman injured

Fakhar Zaman ran to save a boundary but during his fielding, he was injured. He pulled up and immediately signaled for medical attention. He seemed not ok as he went off the field and Kamran Ghulam replaced him on the field. Fakhar was holding his lower back. His injury details will be known soon.

Fakhar Zaman Injury #iccchampionstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/OUMQjknTr2

— yogendracrick (@cricketlover672) February 19, 2025

Fakhar Zaman recorded his first ODI century during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final win

If the injury concern becomes serious, it will be very bad news for the defending champions as the 34-year-old left-handed top-order batter is known for his powerful strikes. He was the hero of the Pakistan team when they beat the defending champions India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final to lift the trophy for the first time. It was his first ODI century as he scored 114 off 106 balls that powered Pakistan to manage a total of 338/4, and they won by 180 runs.    

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is about to start, and the match today is a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi and is all set to begin at 2:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time). Cricket enthusiasts around the globe are waiting for the live match to be viewed through different TV channels and online streaming websites.

• Match : NZ VS PAK
• Date: February 19th, 2025
• Time:  2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Karachi

LIVE STREAMING DETAILS

ALSO READ: PAK vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win? | Match 01, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Preview & Analysis

NEW ZEALAND

Rachin Ravindra/ Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will O Rourke, Matt Henry

PAKISTAN

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khusdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed 

The Champions Trophy was just a day ago when all the teams started their preparation rigorously ahead of it. Indian team has also arrived in Dubai and their practice session is also spot on. India will begin their campaign with facing Bangladesh on 20 Feb.

But the main picture lies after three days when India going to face their arch-rivals Pakistan. 
Harbhajan Singh former Indian Spinner and World Cup winner has given a major warning to Rohit Sharma and his team not to underestimate the Pakistan team who were the former champions of the Champions Trophy. 

The Biggest Threat Ahead
There is a huge buzz created around the India vs Pakistan match and even cricket fans too wait for this rivalry because it is as big as any festival. Harbhajan Singh has stated that India should typically be ready against Fakhar Zaman who opens for the Pakistan team. He stated he is the main player to watch out for. 
If you miss your trick he is going to punish you left and right. No one would forget the Champions Trophy final where Fakhar Zaman's century cost India the big final which happened in England in 2017. India played that tournament well but what cost them was the final. 
Read More: Another Injury Concern Circulating Around Team India

Fakhar Zaman Impressive Against India

Fakhar Zaman has been really good against India and his records speak for that. With his dynamic batting approach, he just snatches away the dilemma, he has scored 234 runs in six matches with an average of 48 and a strike rate of 82, these stats are enough that what difference Fakhar Zaman can create on his day. 
In the 2017 Champions Trophy Final at the Oval, he was the only man to create a huge difference which just shattered Indian fans' dreams, Fakhar Zaman scored 116 runs which he made from 106 balls and Pakistan was able to put up a score of 338 runs. It seemed a halfway battle lost at the start itself and India crumbled to their chase and lost the match by 180 runs. 
Before their clash on the 23 both of the team forms are quite high in stake. India crushed England 3-0 in the recent ODI series and Pakistan displayed good cricket in the nanationaleries tournament where they lost only one match that too final against New Zealand. Both the teams are on the same domain whoever plays better cricket on the given day will pull it off. 

Pakistan vs South Africa third One Day International (ODI) will be played on today, February 12, 2025. The game will take place in the National Stadium, Karachi today and starts at 2:30 PM IST (Pakistan Time); ongoing tri-nation series.
This match will be very crucial, as both teams have to play finals of tri-nation series against Neew Zealand.

Match Details:

• Match: Pakistan vs South Africa, 3rd ODI
• Date: February 12, 2025
• Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
• Time:
  1. Pakistan: 2:00 PM PST
  2. India: 2:30 PM IST
  3. South Africa: 11:30 AM SAST

LIVE STREAMING

TV Broadcast

• India: Sony Sports Network
• Pakistan: PTV Sports
• South Africa: SuperSport

Online:

• SonyLIV App & Website (India)
• PTV Sports Website & App (Pakistan)
• SuperSport Live Stream (South Africa)
• FanCode App & Website (Available in multiple countries)

Recent performances:

• Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 78 runs.
• South Africa lost to New Zealand by six wickets.

Notable to watch

Fakhar Zaman – Scored 84 runs in the last match.
Shaheen Afridi – Took 3 wickets against New Zealand.
Babar Azam – Pakistan’s captain, known for his consistency.
South Africa
Matthew Breetzke – Scored a record 150 runs on his ODI debut!
Wiaan Mulder – Played a solid knock of 60 runs.
Tabraiz Shamsi – A key bowler who can trouble Pakistan’s batters.

ALSO READ:PAK vs SA 3rd Match, Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today?

In a must-win encounter during the ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman delivered a match-winning innings against New Zealand. This outstanding performance led to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf announcing a one-million-rupee reward for Zaman.

Under the leadership of Babar Azam, the Pakistani team secured a 21-run victory over New Zealand using the Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on November 4. This win keeps Pakistan in the semi-final race.

Facing New Zealand’s formidable total of 401 runs after opting to bowl first, Pakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique in the second over, who managed to score four runs before being dismissed by veteran New Zealand pacer Tim Southee.

Fakhar Zaman counter-attacked the New Zealand bowlers and reached his half-century in just 39 balls. He remained unbeaten with an impressive 126 runs off 81 deliveries, including eight fours and 11 sixes. His remarkable feat made him the fourth batter in World Cup history to hit 10 or more sixes in a single innings.

PCB Chairman Announces Generous Reward for Fakhar Zaman’s Heroics

In recognition of his exceptional performance, the PCB announced a cash reward of PKR 1 million for Fakhar Zaman. Zaka Ashraf praised Zaman during a telephone conversation, stating, “Chairman of the PCB Management Committee Zaka Ashraf has lauded Fakhar Zaman’s outstanding innings of 126 not out in Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand in the ICC World Cup match in Bengaluru.”

With four wins and four losses in eight matches, Pakistan currently holds the fifth position on the points table. They will face England in their final league stage match at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday, November 11.

See Also:Mitchell Marsh to make a comeback with the Australian squad in Mumbai on November 5

The PSL Finals are here and two teams who have made strong strides in the tournament take each other on. A final needs just small moments to sway a teams way, and each side has the quality to win those mini-battles and take the momentum. Coming into the PSL Finals let us look at some players who can make a statement with ease on the PSL Finals.

See Also: Lahore Qalandars Vs Multan Sultans Match Prediction – Cricket Winner

Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan is the second-highest run-getter this season and has been the most influential captain so far. He is setting strong platforms, allowing others to bat with freedom. Openers generally have a large say on the proceedings of a match as they help set up or dismantle the batting side’s momentum.  Even a solid 30 from Rizwan will be helpful as he will be able to neutralize Shaheen Shah Afridi in the process and make things easier for the other batters.

Tim David

Tim David is striking at 199 and can be monstrous when he gets going. He hits big sixers and a couple in the PSL Finals will put Sultans in a dangerous position. With the ability to strike from ball one, Tim David will be a target for Qalandars as he can take the game away in the flash of a second.

Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman is another opener who will have a large say on how the game goes. He knows how to handle pressure better than anyone else. His century in the Champions Trophy finals against India was top quality and a clear example of his ability and influence in the game. He is the leading run-scorer in the tournament, and can get quick starts to demoralize the opposition. If Zaman manages an innings longer than 20 balls the game will definitely run away from the Sultans.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

While opening batters have a huge say on the momentum of the game, the bowlers can do just as well to dictate the motion. Shaheen Shah Afridi is among the top bowlers in Pakistan now and can change the game in an over. With his pace an talent he can easily bowl game changing overs, and if he manages to pull out such an over in the PSL Finals his team will be in a strong position.

David Wiese

David Wiese is a big name in the franchise circuit and he showed why he is such a big name in the second qualifier. He punished the bowlers in the death, and bowled a clean and neat over to help defend a score that looked like it would easily be chased down. He can make an impact with both bat and ball, and through the game there will be a lot of eyes on David Wiese.

Imran Tahir

The oldest player in the finals, and probably the most experienced along with Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Tahir, comes into yet another Final. He is an aggressive leg-spin bowler and knows how to take wickets in the middle-overs as well as his abilities are known to the world. Nearly 43, Imran Tahir is among the top wicket takers this season, and his middle over wickets can help choke oppositions with ease. His middle over spell will be important and can easily determine the course of the PSL Finals.