West Indies series: Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan sidelined due to hamstring injury
Fakhar Zaman, a key white-ball cricketer for Pakistan, has been ruled out of the remaining T20I matches and the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies due to a mild left hamstring strain. The injury occurred during the 19th over of the second T20I while chasing a ball in the outfield.
The T20I series between Pakistan and the West Indies started last week, with Pakistan winning the first match. However, the second T20I was won by the West Indies at the last ball, leaving the series tied 1-1.
Zaman returned to Pakistan on August 4 to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy under the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical supervision. The injury means he will miss all three ODIs in Trinidad, which is a significant blow for Pakistan given his crucial role as a top-order white-ball batsman who provides strong starts in both ODIs and T20Is.
Regarding his return date, no exact timetable has been officially announced yet. The characterization of the injury as a "mild strain" suggests a recovery period of weeks, making an immediate comeback unlikely. His participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 is also in "serious doubt," reflecting the severity and timing of the injury rehab.
The impact on the Pakistan-West Indies ODI series includes:
- Pakistan needing to find a replacement opener for Zaman, though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not officially named one yet.
- Potential reconsideration of squad composition for upcoming tournaments, with speculation around recalling players like Babar Azam in T20Is due to Zaman’s absence.
- Pakistan's batting lineup losing an experienced and aggressive top-order presence, which could affect their starts and overall stability in the series.
Zaman's previous injury history includes being ruled out of the Champions Trophy tournament due to an oblique injury. As he continues his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, under the supervision of the PCB medical team, fans and teammates alike will eagerly await his return to the field.
The absence of Fakhar Zaman due to a mild left hamstring strain means he will miss all three ODIs in Trinidad, which is not only a significant blow for Pakistan's ODI series against the West Indies but also raises questions about his participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. With Zaman out of the equation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may reconsider squad composition for upcoming tournaments, potentially recalling players like Babar Azam in T20Is or find a replacement opener for Zaman in the ODI series.
