Follow UsIn a major blow for New Zealand, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is doubtful for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after sustaining a hamstring injury in the International League T20 (ILT20). Ferguson, who will turn up for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and is the captain of the Desert Vipers, will in all likeliness miss the ILT20 2025 final against Dubai Capitals on February 9 (Sunday).
Sam Curran took charge of the side in Qualifier 2 against Sharjah Warriors on February 7 (Friday).
"Lockie had a scan yesterday [Thursday] in the UAE. We've got the images here and [we are] waiting for our radiologist to give us a report on the extent of it," Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead said on the eve of the tri-series opener in Pakistan, which also features South Africa.
“Small hamstring injury, by the look of it, so we're just waiting on a timeline of advice around that before we make a decision on whether Lockie travels here [Pakistan] or whether we do have to replace him for the Champions Trophy."
New Zealand will take on hosts Pakistan in the tri-series opener on February 8 (Sunday) in Lahore. They will face South Africa in their next game on February 10 (Monday) at the same venue. Incidentally, New Zealand begin their Champions Trophy campaign also against Pakistan on February 19 in Karachi before facing Bangladesh (February 24) and India (March 2).
Ferguson will be expected to turn up for PBKS following the Champions Trophy, with the franchise shelling out INR 2 crore for him at the mega auction.