Media365
NEW DELHI: Hosts and defending champions of the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan, had a dismal start to their campaign, suffering a 60-run defeat against New Zealand. Their woes continued with a six-wicket loss to India in Dubai, effectively ending their hopes of reaching the semifinals.
Any chance of finishing the tournament on a high was also dashed when rain forced the abandonment of their final match against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground.
One of Pakistan’s key missteps in the tournament was not utilising star opener Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order.
Zaman himself admitted that had he opened in their first match against New Zealand while chasing a daunting 320-run target, the outcome could have been different.
During that very game in Karachi, Zaman sustained an injury and was later ruled out of the tournament due to a recurring knee issue.
Imam-ul-Haq was named as his replacement.
Zaman batted at No. 4, managing just 24 off 41 balls while visibly struggling, as Pakistan slumped to a 60-run loss.
“Had I opened then things could have been different because when you get a big target, then the opener has a big role to play,” Zaman said in a video posted by Pakistan Cricket Board.
Zaman said he had seen a marked improvement in his injury over the week.
“In the last week, I’ve seen a marked improvement in my healing. The doctor has said that I can start training after three weeks, so I should be back in one month.”
Zaman said despite white-ball cricket being his favourite, he still wants to play the red-ball format.
“I still want to play Tests but the coaches and captain have their own plans and I also feel that there are better Test players in Pakistan,” he said, adding, “I would like to open on my comeback but it’s up to them where they want to keep me.”
