India's left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is likely to get a chance against New Zealand when the two teams meet for a Group A ICC Champions Trophy 2025 game on Sunday'. The presence of five left-handed batters in the New Zealand line-up and Mohammed Shami's calf trouble are said to be the reasons that worked in Arshdeep's favour.
Arshdeep trained well on Saturday, bowling 13 overs with full run-up while Shami only bowled 6-7 overs with a curtailed run-up, reported news agency PTI. Shami, who suffered a blow to his calf during the game against Pakistan, was not bowling at his best pace, the report added. During the game against Pakistan on February 23, Shami received treatment in his right leg from the physios just after bowling his third over of the innings.
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2025
If the Friday's practice session was an indication, then the Punjab pacer in all likelihood will replace Shami, who has recently returned to the national fold following a long injury lay-off.
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New Zealand, who have so far played all their Group A matches in Pakistan, will play their first game in Dubai on Sunday against India.
Earlier, South Africa bowled England out for 179 in their Champions Trophy Group B clash in Karachi to secure their place in the semi-finals. They joined Australia, India and New Zealand in the semi-finals with the final fixture line-up to be confirmed when the latter two meet in Dubai on Sunday. The Proteas will sweat over the fitness of Markram, who left the field with a hamstring injury, ahead of their semi-final, while Bavuma and opening batter Tony de Zorzi missed the game through illness.
