In a setback for the Pakistan cricket team, opener Fakhar Zaman has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies after sustaining a left hamstring strain.
The injury occurred late in the second T20I, when Fakhar pulled up while chasing a ball in the outfield during the 19th over. After immediate attention from the medical team, scans confirmed a mild strain, ending his involvement in the rest of the tour.
The left-hander did not participate in Pakistan’s series-clinching win in the 3rd T20I, and is slated to return home to Pakistan this evening, August 4, where he will commence rehabilitation at the NCA under the watchful eye of PCB’s medical staff.
Fakhar Zaman’s withdrawal from the West Indies ODI series comes amid a turbulent patch for the batter in recent months, with form and fitness proving elusive.
His outings against Bangladesh saw him muster only 53 runs across three innings, while the West Indies T20Is yielded scores of 28 and 20 before the injury struck. With the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Pakistan will be hoping to have the aggressive batter back sooner rather than later.
As Pakistan looks to regroup ahead of an ODI contest with the West Indies, all eyes will be on Fakhar’s recovery and return to full fitness. The opener’s absence presents an opening for others to stake their claim, but Pakistan fans will be hoping for Fakhar’s swift and smooth comeback in national colors.
The first ODI of the three-match series, meanwhile, begins this Friday.