<p>Karachi: The Pakistan cricket team left for Dubai for the marquee Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals India without opener Fakhar Zaman, who suffered an injury during the opening match against New Zealand here on February 19.</p>.<p>The stalwart suffered a muscle strain while fielding in the New Zealand innings and remained away from the field for most part of the innings.</p>.<p>The 34-year-old suffered the injury while chasing a ball to the boundary in the first over of the contest.</p>.<p>He wasn't able to open the batting in the second innings, forcing Saud Shakeel to take stance as a stop-gap opener. Zaman batted at No.4, scoring scored 24 off 41, but seemed visibly struggling during his knock.</p>.Champions Trophy: Dark horses Afghanistan eye another good show, Proteas aim to shed chokers tag.<p>Pakistan lost the game by 60 runs.</p>.<p>The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will make an announcement on Zaman in due course.</p>.<p>He had made a comeback to the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy after last playing in the 2023 World Cup in India.</p>.<p>The opener has had a long history of knee problems.</p>.<p>If Zaman is unfit, Pakistan is expected to call up opener Imam ul Haq. </p>
<p>Karachi: The Pakistan cricket team left for Dubai for the marquee Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals India without opener Fakhar Zaman, who suffered an injury during the opening match against New Zealand here on February 19.</p>.<p>The stalwart suffered a muscle strain while fielding in the New Zealand innings and remained away from the field for most part of the innings.</p>.<p>The 34-year-old suffered the injury while chasing a ball to the boundary in the first over of the contest.</p>.<p>He wasn't able to open the batting in the second innings, forcing Saud Shakeel to take stance as a stop-gap opener. Zaman batted at No.4, scoring scored 24 off 41, but seemed visibly struggling during his knock.</p>.Champions Trophy: Dark horses Afghanistan eye another good show, Proteas aim to shed chokers tag.<p>Pakistan lost the game by 60 runs.</p>.<p>The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will make an announcement on Zaman in due course.</p>.<p>He had made a comeback to the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy after last playing in the 2023 World Cup in India.</p>.<p>The opener has had a long history of knee problems.</p>.<p>If Zaman is unfit, Pakistan is expected to call up opener Imam ul Haq. </p>