Though zaman

The Pakistan Cricket Board: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that opener Fakhar Zaman is being assessed for a muscular sprain after he walked off the field just two deliveries into Pakistan’s Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium.

“Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain, and further updates will be provided in due course,” the PCB said in a statement.

Pakistan’s title defence got off to an unfortunate start, as Zaman appeared to suffer a lower-back injury while sprinting to cut off a boundary in the opening over. New Zealand’s Will Young had driven Shaheen Afridi through the covers, prompting a full-tilt chase from the left-hander. Though Zaman managed to stop the ball and relay it to Babar Azam, he immediately signaled discomfort and walked off with the team physio.