Explained: Why Fakhar Zaman Didn’t Open Against New Zealand in Champions Trophy
Fakhar Zaman has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s top-order batting. Known for his aggressive stroke play and ability to take on the best bowlers in the world, Fakhar has often been Pakistan’s go-to player for explosive starts. However, when Pakistan faced New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy, fans and analysts were left surprised by the decision not to send Fakhar Zaman in as an opener. Instead, the opening slot was filled by other players, sparking discussions and speculation about the reason behind the move. Let’s delve into the possible reasons why Fakhar Zaman didn’t open in this crucial match, and what it means for Pakistan’s lineup and their strategy moving forward.
Fakhar Zaman: The Key Opener for Pakistan
Before we delve into the specifics of why Fakhar Zaman didn’t open against New Zealand, it’s important to recognize his role in Pakistan’s batting lineup. Fakhar has been a fixture at the top of the order for Pakistan, known for his explosive batting and ability to change the course of an innings. His aggression from the start often allows Pakistan to set a solid platform for the middle and lower order. Fakhar’s ability to take on fast bowlers, especially in the initial overs, is one of his defining traits, and his performances in ICC tournaments have often been instrumental in Pakistan’s success.
Fakhar Zaman’s reputation as a destructive batsman makes it surprising that he would not be trusted with the opening position in a key match like the Champions Trophy against New Zealand. So, what could have prompted the team management to make this change?
1. Injury Concerns and Fitness Levels
One of the most plausible explanations for Fakhar Zaman not opening against New Zealand is injury concerns. Fakhar had been dealing with some fitness issues in the lead-up to the match, with reports indicating that he had been carrying a slight muscular strain. Injuries, especially those affecting a player’s ability to move freely, can have a significant impact on performance. Opening the batting requires sharp reflexes, quick footwork, and the ability to cover both fast and spin bowling effectively, which would have been difficult for Fakhar if he wasn’t fully fit.
It is possible that the team management, in consultation with the medical staff, made the decision to rest Fakhar in his usual position at the top of the order to prevent aggravating his injury. While Fakhar’s fitness was likely evaluated, it might have been deemed too risky to have him face the intense pressure of opening against a high-quality team like New Zealand while still not at 100%. In such cases, the decision to drop him down the order can serve two purposes: first, to allow Fakhar to ease into the game in a less demanding role, and second, to protect him from further injury in a high-stakes environment.
2. Tactical Adjustment: A Shift in the Opening Combination
Another reason for Fakhar Zaman’s absence from the opening slot could have been a deliberate tactical adjustment by Pakistan’s coaching staff. The team management may have decided to alter the opening combination in order to counter New Zealand’s strengths. While Fakhar is one of the most dangerous openers in world cricket, New Zealand’s bowlers, such as Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, are known for their precision and ability to move the ball both ways, especially in the early overs.
It is possible that Pakistan’s coaching staff wanted to provide Fakhar with a slightly easier entry into the game by sending someone else out to face the opening overs. By having Fakhar come in at a different position, possibly in the middle order, Pakistan might have hoped to delay Fakhar’s confrontation with the New Zealand seamers. This would have allowed Fakhar to settle into the game more gradually and avoid the intense pressure of facing the new ball in challenging conditions.
Additionally, this shift in the batting order could have been an attempt to ensure that the middle order, which can sometimes struggle under pressure, had more stability. By sending other players to open, Pakistan may have wanted to keep the attacking options open for Fakhar in a more controlled environment, allowing him to play his natural game without being bogged down by early overs or the risk of an early dismissal.
3. Experimentation and Squad Depth
With the Champions Trophy being a prestigious tournament, Pakistan might have been looking to experiment with different batting combinations ahead of future games. Coaches often use these types of matches to test various lineup options, especially in the group stages when the team might not be under immediate pressure to win every game. By shuffling the batting order, Pakistan could have been assessing the squad’s depth and flexibility, making sure that other players could step up if required.
Pakistan’s squad boasts a number of capable openers, including Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, and even middle-order players who can adapt to the opening slot. Giving other players a chance to open the batting could be part of a larger plan to ensure that they have multiple options in the event of Fakhar’s unavailability in future matches or tournaments. This experimentation could help Pakistan in the long term, as it would offer them the versatility to adjust their batting order depending on conditions, opposition, or player availability.
4. Mental and Psychological Factors
The decision to move Fakhar Zaman down the order might also have been influenced by mental or psychological factors. Fakhar Zaman is known for his aggressive batting, but like all players, he has occasional ups and downs in terms of form. It is possible that the team management, recognizing the pressure Fakhar may be under, wanted to relieve him of the additional responsibility of opening the batting against a quality attack like New Zealand’s.
By placing Fakhar in the middle order, he could have been given a chance to play with less pressure. This would allow him to assess the situation and potentially play his natural attacking game once the initial overs were negotiated. It’s not uncommon for players to experience a mental block when facing difficult situations, and by giving Fakhar the opportunity to come in at a different stage of the innings, the coaching staff could have been looking to get the best out of him without the burden of being in the firing line at the top of the order.
5. Team’s Changing Strategy and Conditions
Conditions on the day of the match may have played a role in Fakhar Zaman’s exclusion from the opening slot. Depending on the pitch and weather conditions, the team management may have felt that a different approach was necessary. For instance, if the pitch was expected to offer swing or bounce early on, the team may have wanted Fakhar to avoid the most challenging part of the game and instead send a more technically sound batsman to open.
On the other hand, the team may have opted for a more conservative strategy, where players like Imam-ul-Haq or Shan Masood, known for their ability to play longer innings and absorb pressure, could have been sent out first to see off the early movement or swing from the New Zealand bowlers. Fakhar could have then been inserted into the middle order to provide the aggression once the ball lost its initial bite, especially if Pakistan was in a position to accelerate in the later stages of the innings.
6. Fakhar’s Role in the Middle Order
Finally, the move could have been to allow Fakhar to play his role as a middle-order aggressor, especially in a situation where the team needed to accelerate in the middle overs. Fakhar’s ability to adapt and play a destructive role in the middle order is often underappreciated, but he has shown that he can play this role effectively. Having him in the middle order could have been a strategic move to exploit his ability to counter-attack and score quickly, especially if the openers had laid the foundation for an aggressive push.
Conclusion: A Calculated Move
Fakhar Zaman’s absence from the opening slot against New Zealand was a surprising decision, but it can be understood as a calculated move by the Pakistan team management. Whether driven by injury concerns, tactical adjustments, or a desire to experiment with squad depth, the decision was likely made with the team’s best interests in mind. Fakhar’s ability to perform in the middle order, alongside other capable openers, offers Pakistan the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and opposition strengths.
As the Champions Trophy progresses, it will be interesting to see whether Fakhar returns to his opening role or whether Pakistan continues to experiment with different batting combinations. One thing is certain, however: Fakhar Zaman’s role in Pakistan’s batting lineup remains crucial, and his performances will be key to their success in the tournament.
