Jasveer Singh
Pakistan’s Group Stage Exit : Pakistan’s Worst Champions Trophy Performance in 16 Years
Pakistan’s Group Stage Exit : The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was supposed to be a moment of pride for Pakistan, as they co-hosted the prestigious tournament along with the United Arab Emirates. Cricket fans across the country were eager to see their team shine on home soil. However, what unfolded turned out to be a nightmare for Pakistan cricket, as they made unwanted history by becoming the first team in 16 years to crash out in the group stage. The last time Pakistan faced such an early exit was in the 2009 edition of the tournament. This shocking elimination has left fans and experts questioning the team’s performance and future prospects.
A Tournament Full of Expectations : Pakistan’s Group Stage Exit
Heading into the Champions Trophy, Pakistan had high hopes. With experienced players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan leading the squad, expectations were sky-high. The team was drawn into a challenging group alongside India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. While tough, many believed that Pakistan had the firepower to make it through to the knockout stages.
The tournament began with a grand opening ceremony in Karachi, where the cricketing world turned its eyes to Pakistan. After years of being deprived of hosting major ICC events, this was an opportunity to showcase the nation’s passion for cricket. However, the excitement soon turned into disappointment.
A Rocky Start Against New Zealand
Pakistan’s first match was against New Zealand in Karachi. Winning the toss and opting to field first, Pakistan’s bowling attack looked promising early on. However, the Kiwi batsmen adapted well, with Will Young and Tom Latham playing crucial knocks. New Zealand set a challenging target of 320/5.
In response, Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled under pressure. Babar Azam played a decent innings, but the middle order collapsed at crucial moments. Fakhar Zaman’s untimely injury further weakened their chase. Despite a late effort from Rizwan, Pakistan fell short by 60 runs. This loss put them in a tough spot, making the next game a must-win encounter.
Crucial Clash Against India Ends in Heartbreak
The much-anticipated India-Pakistan showdown in Dubai was expected to be a blockbuster. With millions of fans watching worldwide, the stakes were higher than ever. Pakistan batted first and managed to post 241 runs, with Saud Shakeel and Rizwan contributing valuable runs. However, the total appeared below-par on a batting-friendly pitch.
India, led by an in-form Virat Kohli, chased down the target with ease. Kohli’s unbeaten century guided his team to a six-wicket victory, dashing Pakistan’s hopes of staying in the tournament. This defeat meant Pakistan’s qualification depended on other match results.
New Zealand Seals Pakistan’s Fate
Despite two consecutive losses, Pakistan still had an outside chance of progressing if Bangladesh defeated New Zealand. However, that hope was short-lived as New Zealand comfortably won their match in Rawalpindi, officially knocking Pakistan out of the tournament.
This elimination was particularly painful as Pakistan, being the host nation, had a golden opportunity to make a deep run in the tournament. Fans were left heartbroken, and the team faced intense scrutiny from former players and analysts.
Controversies and Criticism
Pakistan’s poor performance was not the only talking point. The tournament itself was marred by controversies. One of the biggest debates was over India’s refusal to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. As a result, a hybrid hosting model was implemented, where all of India’s matches were played in Dubai. Many critics argued that this arrangement gave India an unfair advantage by reducing travel fatigue and ensuring consistent playing conditions.
Another embarrassing moment came when Pakistan’s marketing team mistakenly included West Indies’ T20I captain Rovman Powell in their promotional materials, despite the fact that the West Indies had failed to qualify for the tournament. This blunder went viral on social media, leading to trolling and further criticism of the tournament’s organization.
What Went Wrong for Pakistan?
Several factors contributed to Pakistan’s early exit:
- Batting Woes: The middle order failed to deliver in crucial moments, leaving too much pressure on the top order.
- Poor Death Bowling: The bowling unit struggled to contain runs in the final overs, allowing opponents to post big totals.
- Tactical Errors: Captaincy decisions and team selection came under scrutiny, with many questioning the exclusion of key players in important matches.
- Injuries and Fatigue: Fakhar Zaman’s injury disrupted the team’s balance, and the squad appeared fatigued during key matches.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Redemption
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy failure serves as a wake-up call for the cricket board and management. Moving forward, the team needs to focus on building a more consistent batting lineup, improving their fielding standards, and ensuring better strategic planning in high-pressure games. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Pakistan must regroup and make necessary changes to avoid another disappointing campaign.
As fans come to terms with this early exit, one thing is certain: Pakistan cricket must learn from its mistakes and come back stronger in future tournaments.
