Pakistan’s journey in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 turned into a disastrous campaign, disappointing fans. The defending champions suffered humiliating defeats against New Zealand and India in the group stage, failing to secure a single victory. Their final match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was washed out due to rain, sealing their early exit from the tournament.
With zero wins, Pakistan finished at the bottom of Group A standings. Mohammad Rizwan, who led the side, expressed deep disappointment and cited injuries and pressure as key reasons for their poor performance.
Pakistan’s Struggles in Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan’s performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 was affected by multiple setbacks, including injuries to key players and an out-of-form batting lineup. The team had entered the tournament with high hopes, but their plans were quickly derailed.
One of the biggest blows came when in-form opener Saim Ayub suffered an ankle injury during a Test match against South Africa earlier this year. This ruled him out of the tournament, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bring in Fakhar Zaman as a replacement.
However, Pakistan’s bad luck continued when Fakhar Zaman sustained an injury in the first match against New Zealand, leaving the team scrambling for solutions. Imam-ul-Haq was promoted to open alongside Abdullah Shafique, but the combination failed to deliver, especially in the high-pressure match against India.
Mohammad Rizwan’s Disappointment: ‘Expectations Were Very High’
After Pakistan’s exit from the Champions Trophy, Mohammad Rizwan spoke at a press conference, expressing his frustration.
“Our goal was to do well and honor our nation. Expectations were very high, and our failure is extremely disappointing. The team was well-prepared and had been performing consistently in Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. However, injuries disrupted our balance, and it affected the team’s morale. But this is no excuse—we will learn from this experience.”
When asked about Pakistan’s bench strength, Rizwan admitted that improvements were necessary.
“We need to improve in several areas. If we want to keep Pakistan at a high standard, we must focus on awareness and professionalism. The Champions Trophy 2025 has been an eye-opener, and we now know where we need to improve.”
Bowling Woes: Pakistan’s Weak Link in Champions Trophy 2025
Historically, Pakistan’s bowling attack has been their strength in ICC tournaments, but this time, it failed to deliver.
- Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked wickets but struggled with their economy rates.
- Naseem Shah, returning after an injury layoff, lacked rhythm and was unable to make an impact.
- The spin attack, led by Shadab Khan and Usama Mir, failed to control runs in the middle overs.
In the Pakistan vs India match, the bowling unit failed to break partnerships, allowing Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill to comfortably chase down the target of 202 runs. Similarly, against New Zealand, the bowlers struggled to defend a competitive total, resulting in yet another loss.
Batting Collapse: Pakistan’s Middle-Order Struggles
Pakistan’s batting lineup was another major concern throughout the tournament. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s most consistent batsman, failed to convert starts into big scores. Mohammad Rizwan, usually reliable under pressure, couldn’t anchor innings effectively.
Key issues in Pakistan’s batting performance included:
Lack of partnerships in the middle overs
Over-reliance on senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
No power-hitters in the lower order to accelerate in the death overs
Inconsistent performance from Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique
Against New Zealand, Pakistan’s middle order collapsed after a promising start, leading to a below-par total. Against India, the batting unit struggled against Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, failing to set a competitive target.
What’s Next? Pakistan’s Future Cricket Schedule
Despite a disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan has an opportunity to make a strong comeback. The team will now tour New Zealand for a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series, starting March 16, 2025.
This tour will be crucial for Pakistan’s redemption, as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also expected to review the team’s performance and make necessary changes in the squad, coaching staff, or leadership.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s poor performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 has highlighted several areas that need improvement. The team must focus on:
Building squad depth to handle injuries better
Strengthening the batting lineup, especially the middle order
Enhancing bowling strategies to avoid expensive spells
Encouraging professionalism and mental toughness in high-pressure games
Although this tournament was a setback, it also presents an opportunity for Pakistan cricket to introspect and rebuild. Fans will now look forward to the Pakistan vs New Zealand series, hoping for a better performance from their team.
FAQs
Q1. Why did Pakistan fail in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Ans: Pakistan struggled due to injuries to key players, inconsistent batting performances, and a weak bowling attack that failed to defend competitive totals.
Q2. Who were the injured players in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad?
Ans: Saim Ayub missed the tournament due to an ankle injury, while Fakhar Zaman was ruled out after suffering an injury in the first match against New Zealand.
Q3. How did Pakistan perform against India and New Zealand?
Ans: Pakistan lost both matches—India comfortably chased 202 runs, and New Zealand outplayed them in both batting and bowling.
Q4. What did Mohammad Rizwan say after Pakistan’s exit?
Ans: Rizwan admitted the team failed to meet expectations, citing injuries and pressure, but stated they will learn from the experience and improve.
Q5. What’s next for Pakistan after the Champions Trophy?
Ans: Pakistan will tour New Zealand for a five-match T20I and three-match ODI series, starting March 16, 2025, as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026.