Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has revealed details of his conversation with Fakhar Zaman, confirming that the opening batter sustained a side strain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand.
Speaking on a private TV channel, Amir shared that he reached out to Fakhar—his close friend from their ILT20 stint—to check whether the injury was related to his knee or back. Fakhar clarified that it was a side strain, an injury that could sideline him for nearly two months.
Amir further disclosed that during their morning discussion, Fakhar mentioned experiencing mild coughing, which exacerbates his pain and makes breathing difficult. According to Amir, such injuries typically require around six weeks of recovery, followed by a rehabilitation phase.
The injury occurred in the first over of New Zealand’s innings, forcing Fakhar to leave the field for medical assessment. Although he made an attempt to return, the discomfort was too severe, leading him to exit again.
Despite his condition, Fakhar batted during Pakistan’s chase of 321 but was visibly struggling, managing to score only 24 runs. His availability for the rest of the tournament remains uncertain, posing a major setback for Pakistan’s campaign.
