Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand Sweating on Lockie Ferguson Fitness After Pacer Misses ILT20 Qualifier 2 With Injury

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New Zealand could be without Lockie Ferguson for the Tri-Series in Pakistan and the Champions Trophy after the senior speedster missed the ILT20 2025 Qualifier 2 in Sharjah on Friday (February 7) with an injury.

Ferguson pulled up sore during Desert Vipers' defeat to Dubai Capitals in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday (February 5). The 33-year-old had left the field without completing his allotted four overs as Desert Vipers suffered a 5-wicket loss.

The Kiwi quick had just then dismissed Gulbadin Naib, leaving Capitals with four to get from the final delivery. Mohammad Amir stepped in to complete the over after Ferguson left the game as Sikandar Raza scored a boundary off his first delivery to seal a direct entry into the final for the Capitals.

At the post-match presentation, Ferguson said, "just a little hamstring issue, unfortunate. Tough night; wish I could've bowled the last ball." The pacer missed the Qualifier 2 against Sharjah Warriors on Friday (February 7), but the Vipers ensured passage into the title clash following a 7-wicket win.

New Zealand head coach had revealed Ferguson underwent a scan on Thursday (February 6) to determine the severity of the injury and they are still awaiting more details to take a call on his participation in the Tri-Series in Pakistan and the Champions Trophy.

"Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE. We've got the images here and [we are] waiting for our radiologist to give us a report on the extent of it," Stead was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo before of the tri-series opener against Pakistan.

"Small hamstring injury, by the look of it, so we're just waiting on a timeline of advice around that before we make a decision on whether Lockie travels here [Pakistan] or whether we do have to replace him for the Champions Trophy."

New Zealand face Pakistan in the Tri-Series opener on Saturday (February 8) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where they will face South Africa on Monday (February 10). The Kiwis could then be in action at the National Stadium in Karachi if they qualify for the final, which is scheduled for February 14.

The Black Caps will hope Ferguson's injury is minor and the pacer will be available for the Champions Trophy 2025, beginning on February 19, when they play the tournament curtain-raiser against Pakistan in Karachi.

New Zealand have already included Jacob Duffy in the squad as a cover for Ferguson, who was expected to miss at least the Tri-Series opener due to his participation in the ILT20. Duffy could be drafted into the Champions Trophy squad, replacing the experienced pacer.