Mumbai, March 8: Matt Henry might miss the Champions Trophy final due to a shoulder injury sustained during the semi-final in Lahore, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. The tournament's leading wicket-taker injured his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. However, he returned later in the match to bowl two overs and was even seen diving in the field. Following the semi-final, Mitchell Santner had expressed optimism about Henry's availability, but head coach Gary Stead has now admitted that his fitness remains uncertain just over 48 hours before the final. India Likely Playing XI for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final vs New Zealand: Check Predicted India 11 for IND vs NZ Match in Dubai.

"I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl. We've had some scans and stuff done on him, and we're going to give him every chance to be playing in this match. [But it's] still a little bit unknown at this stage," Stead said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

Henry has been instrumental for New Zealand, picking up ten wickets at an average of 16.70 in the tournament. Notably, five of those came in the group-stage clash against India in Dubai--the same opposition and venue for the final.

"He's obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopefully he will be okay," Stead said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

With a five-wicket haul against a formidable Indian side in Dubai, Matt Henry surpassed the legendary Richard Hadlee to become New Zealand's eighth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs. In the final group stage match between India and New Zealand of the ongoing Champions Trophy on Sunday, the experienced right-arm quick went past Hadlee's tally of 158 scalps in ODIs. IND vs NZ ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Will Mohammed Shami’s Knockout Punch Give New Zealand Wankhede Trauma Again?.

With his blistering pace, Henry left the Indian batters in shreds and returned with figures of 5/42. In the semi-final against South Africa, he finished with 2/43. If Henry is ruled out, New Zealand have Jacob Duffy as a backup. The right-arm seamer has yet to feature in the tournament but played against Pakistan in the pre-tournament tri-series, where he returned figures of 1/48 in seven overs.

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