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Fakhar Injured; Who Will Open With Babar Azam In Champions Trophy Opener vs NZ?

Aashay Chopade

Fakhar Zaman got injured in 1st over (Source:@Chillai__kalan/X.com)Fakhar Zaman got injured in 1st over (Source:@Chillai__kalan/X.com)

Fakhar Zaman is one of the key players for Pakistan in their quest to defend the Champions Trophy title, but the star cricketer injured himself in just the second ball of the match. He hurt his knee and now the PCB has shared an update where they mentioned that he is being examined for the muscular sprain.

Saud Shakeel Likely To Be Promoted As Opener If Fakhar Zaman Is Absent

He came back to the field once after his injury but decided to go off again, and it has raised question over his availability to bat in the second half. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam are openers for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opener and if the former does not come out to bat it would be a big loss as he is the top order batter in form. 

Even if he does get fit, Fakhar would have to bat at 5 if Pakistan does not stay out on the field till 6.26 PM local time. However, if they manage to stay on the field till that time, he can open for Pakistan.

Fakhar Zaman played couple of impactful knocks in the recently held tri-series, but if he is absent, Saud Shakeel is likely to open the batting. Pakistan's Test vice-captain is slotted to bat at 3 and incase of an injury to opener during the game, generally the number 3 batter takes the responsibility to come up the order because of the familiarity of playing the new ball. 

So, Saud Shakeel is likely to open with Babar Azam and as both of them did not score runs in the tri-series, it could prove counter-productive for Pakistan. However, Saud Shakeel has the experience of opening in PSL, and so Pakistan are likely to go with him at the top of the order if Fakhar does not bat against New Zealand.

Another option is Mohammad Rizwan who has opened a lot in T20Is, but he is scoring runs at number 4 consistently, and Pakistan would not like to tinker his batting line-up.