Champions Trophy 2025: Why Fakhar Zaman wasn't allowed to open against New Zealand in 321-run chase?

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Pakistan's chase against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a rocky start, and a key reason behind it was the unavailability of Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order.

While many speculated about tactical changes, the real reason was a time penalty imposed on the left-hander after he spent a significant portion of the first innings off the field due to an injury.

How Fakhar Zaman Got Injured?

Zaman sustained an injury in the very first over of the match while fielding. As he chased a boundary attempt from New Zealand's Will Young, he awkwardly tumbled, causing discomfort. Soon after, he was seen limping off the field with Pakistan's medical staff, raising concerns over his participation in the remainder of the game and even the tournament itself. His absence from the field meant Pakistan had to adjust their fielding strategy while also keeping a close watch on his recovery.

After being out of action for a prolonged period, Fakhar Zaman made his return to the field in the 35th over. His comeback indicated that he felt fit enough to continue playing, but according to MCC Laws, a time penalty must be served in such situations. Law 24.2 states that any player who leaves the field for an extended time must compensate for that absence before being allowed to bat or bowl. In Zaman's case, he had to serve a 25-minute penalty at the start of Pakistan's innings, meaning he was unavailable to open the batting.

As a result, Pakistan was forced to send Saud Shakeel alongside Babar Azam as openers, a move that significantly affected their start to the chase of 321 runs. With Zaman being their aggressive opener, his absence disrupted Pakistan's usual approach, making it easier for New Zealand to put early pressure on the batting side.

Pakistan's already daunting task became even harder as they lost early wickets in the powerplay. Saud Shakeel managed to score only six runs before getting dismissed, while Mohammad Rizwan fell for just three runs. Rizwan's wicket, in particular, was the result of an extraordinary one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point-an effort that will likely be remembered as one of the best catches in modern cricket.

Pakistan's score read a dismal 22/2 at the end of 10 overs-their lowest-ever tally in the first 10 overs of an ODI at home. This poor start put immense pressure on Babar Azam and the middle order, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the steep run chase.

Fakhar Zaman's Struggles Upon Return

Once Zaman was finally allowed to bat, he was visibly struggling with his injury. He required medical attention mid-innings, indicating that he was not at full fitness. His restricted movement impacted his ability to rotate strike and play his natural attacking game, further compounding Pakistan's troubles.

Earlier in the match, New Zealand had posted a commanding total of 320/5 in 50 overs. Centuries from Tom Latham (118) and Will Young (107) laid the foundation, while Glenn Phillips provided a fiery finish with a quick 61. Their total proved to be a massive challenge for Pakistan, especially given their shaky start and the absence of Fakhar Zaman at the top.

The time penalty imposed on Fakhar Zaman played a crucial role in Pakistan's disastrous start to the chase. Without their regular opener at the top, they struggled to gain momentum, and New Zealand capitalized on the situation.