Why Fakhar Zaman didn’t open against NZ?

KARACHI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman did not come to open the innings after New Zealand posted 320 for 4 in their first innings in the ongoing match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 here on Wednesday.

Due to Fakhar’s injury, the Pakistan cricket team had to change their batting order against New Zealand in the first ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match.

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel opened the innings for Pakistan in pursuit of the 321-run target set by New Zealand after their regular opener, Fakhar Zaman, was forced to sit out for at least 25 minutes due to leaving the field during Pakistan’s bowling.

Fakhar fell awkwardly while fielding in the first over of New Zealand’s innings and had to leave the ground for medical assessment.

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As  ICC rules state, If a player leaves the field for more than eight minutes, they must wait the same amount of time before they can bat or bowl. Since Fakhar was off the field for over 25 minutes, he had to wait for that long before being eligible to bat.

According to ICC rule 24.2, if a fielder is absent or leaving the field of play, a fielder briefly stepping outside the boundary while performing fielding duties is not considered absent. They are not regarded as having left the field under these regulations.

The rules also state that if a fielder fails to take the field at the start, leaves during play, or returns at any point, the umpire must be informed of the reason for the absence. The player cannot re-enter the field without the umpire’s consent, which will be granted as soon as practicable.

READ: Champions Trophy: PCB provides update on Fakhar Zaman’s injury