That meant he couldn’t open Pakistan batting, and when he entered No. 4, he was visibly unhappy. He received several visits from team doctor and physio and took painkillers on the field through his 41-ball stay at the curl. It was something of a tortured lap, with his movements limited, and he did not look like he would have a serious influence on Pakistan’s pursuit of 320 New Zealand had scored. He scored 24 before he was laid off.

The damage is especially unlucky for Fakhar and Pakistan. He only returned to the side when Said Ayub, Pakistan’s prominence, opens in their three wakes victories in the tail of last year, was beaten under similar circumstances. He went into pursuit of a ball down to the border of the second test against South Africa in January, only to wipe his ankle, which was later confirmed to be a broken. It has excluded him until at least March.

Fakhar’s most famous contribution to Pakistan Cricket has come in this tournament. He was a star batter in the final of The Last Champions Trophy, in 2017, scoring 114 against India when Pakistan won the tournament.

Imam, coming into the page, does not have the same pedigree as Fakhar with regard to warfare and has not played international cricket since 2023. However, he has a star record that opens, an average .