New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a hamstring injury. According to New Zealand Cricket, Sears sustained the injury during a training session in Karachi on Wednesday. His replacement, Jacob Duffy, has already been added to the squad, with the ICC event’s technical committee approving the change.
Sears is the latest in a series of key players missing the tournament. Pakistan’s Saim Ayub and India’s Jasprit Bumrah have already been ruled out due to injuries, while Australia’s Mitchell Starc has withdrawn for personal reasons. Afghanistan will also be without spinner A.M. Ghazanfar due to fitness concerns and South Africa’s pace spearhead Anrich Nortje is unavailable for the event.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, marking a historic return of ICC events to the country.
