Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign ended in heartbreak. New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh on February 24 officially knocked Pakistan out of the tournament. The worst part? They were eliminated after just two games.
This early exit was crushing for a country that waited 29 years to host an ICC event. But let’s be real—this downfall wasn’t shocking. Pakistan’s flaws were evident from the start.
Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy Exit: 3 Big Reasons
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1. A Slow and Cautious Approach Killed Momentum
Pakistan’s batting lacked firepower. In both games, against India and New Zealand, the top order played it too safe. There was no intent, no aggression.
Take their match against New Zealand. Chasing 320, Pakistan crawled to just 22 runs in the first 10 overs. That’s not how you chase big totals in modern cricket. The result? A desperate attempt to catch up, which failed miserably.
Yes, Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah played some attacking strokes. But by then, the damage was done. Against India, the story was the same. A promising start, then a middle-order meltdown. Spinners choked them, and boundary-hitting was nonexistent—just 11 fours in 30 overs. India? They smashed 11 fours inside the powerplay alone.
Even moments of brilliance—like Shaheen Afridi’s lethal yorker and Abrar Ahmed’s dream delivery to Shubman Gill—weren’t enough. Pakistan’s batting let them down.
2. Poor Team Selection and Weak Spin Attack
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Pakistan knew their home pitches favoured spinners. Yet they went into the tournament with just one frontline spinner—Abrar Ahmed. The gamble backfired.
Abrar had his moments, but he was inconsistent. Part-time options like Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha weren’t effective either. Meanwhile, experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan was left out. A decision that made no sense.
Another blunder? Selecting Faheem Ashraf as an all-rounder but not playing him in a single game. If he wasn’t in the plans, why pick him in the first place?
3. Pakistan Cricket’s Never-Ending Chaos
No great team succeeds without stability. Pakistan’s cricket system is the exact opposite—chaotic, inconsistent, and unpredictable.
Just look at the numbers:
- 26 different selectors in the last three years.
- Four captains.
- Eight head coaches.
Even former cricketers weren’t surprised by this disaster. The real problem isn’t just the players. It’s the system.
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Kind Gesture: A Moment of Sportsmanship in Ind vs Pak
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