Pakistan campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has officially concluded after Bangladesh suffered a defeat against New Zealand on Monday.
Throughout the competition, Pakistan struggled to find momentum against formidable opponents, including New Zealand and their historic rivals, India. Despite entering the tournament with high expectations, the green shirts were unable to deliver consistent performances that could secure them a place in the knockout stage.
Pakistan is set to face Bangladesh in their final group-stage match in Rawalpindi on Thursday. However, the contest has now become a mere formality, as both teams have already been eliminated. With Bangladesh’s loss to New Zealand, India and New Zealand have secured their spots in the semi-finals from this group, leaving Pakistan to reflect on their missed opportunities.
Hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it marked the return of a major international cricket tournament to the country after nearly three decades. However, the absence of India on Pakistani soil due to security concerns and political tensions dampened the spirit of the event. As a result, the much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India had to be held in Dubai rather than in Pakistan, denying local fans the chance to witness one of cricket’s greatest rivalries on home turf.
For Pakistani fans, the heartbreak was twofold. Not only did they miss the opportunity to watch their team take on India at home, but they also endured the disappointment of seeing Pakistan falter against their arch-rivals. “It was such a big match, and we went down with a whimper,” lamented 42-year-old Zain Mursaleen, a passionate cricket enthusiast, in an interview with Reuters.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 had barely commenced when Pakistan faced an early setback, losing their opening match. This left their qualification hopes hinging on the outcome of the New Zealand-Bangladesh game. Now, with Pakistan out of contention, attention shifts toward the team’s future. The early exit from a major ICC event on home soil highlights the need for introspection and strategic reforms. Pakistan must now focus on rebuilding, addressing weaknesses, and formulating a stronger game plan to regain their competitive edge in international cricket.