New Zealand suffered a blow before the Champions Trophy with fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy with a foot injury.

"Ferguson felt some pain in his right foot after bowling a spell in the informal warm-up match against Afghanistan in Karachi on Sunday and an initial medical assessment indicated he would not be fit enough to take part in the entire tournament," read the New Zealand Cricket website.

The fast bowler has been returned to New Zealand to undergo rehabilitation.

Jamieson replaces him

Kyle Jamieson will replace Ferguson in the squad.

Head coach Gary Stead said it was tough news for Ferguson and the team.

“We’re really disappointed for Lockie,” Stead told New Zealand Cricket.

“Lockie is a key part of the bowling group and brings a lot of major tournament experience and we know how much he was looking forward to representing New Zealand at another major event," he said.

New Zealand will play their opening match of the ICC event against host Pakistan.

The Champions Trophy returned to ICC calendar after a gap of eight years.

It was last played in 2017 when Pakistan had emerged victorious.

It is also marking the return of an ICC event to Pakistan after nearly 30 years.

Pakistan last co-hosted the ICC World Cup in 1996.