Pakistan’s campaign in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy came to a disheartening end after their final Group A match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to relentless rain on Thursday, February 27. This result meant that the 2017 champions finished their group-stage campaign without a single victory, marking an unprecedented low in their cricketing history. The washout confirmed their early exit from the tournament, making them the first team in 23 years to be eliminated from the prestigious 50-over event without securing a win.
For Pakistan, this failure was particularly painful as they were hosting an ICC event for the first time in nearly three decades. Expectations were high from Babar Azam’s side to make a deep run in the tournament, but their performance fell well short. They ended at the bottom of Group A with just one point and a negative Net Run Rate (-1.087), trailing even Bangladesh, who finished third in the group standings.
Before Pakistan’s disappointing exit, no host team had ever failed to register at least one victory since the tournament was rebranded as the Champions Trophy in 2002. Even in the past, when host nations such as India (2006) and South Africa (2009) struggled and failed to progress beyond the group stage, they had at least one win to their name. The last time a team had been eliminated from an ICC knockout tournament without a single victory was Kenya in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy, where they lost in the pre-quarterfinals.
Pakistan’s journey in the tournament began on a disastrous note as they suffered a crushing 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening game in Karachi. The loss put them in a must-win position against arch-rivals India in Dubai, but their hopes were dashed when they suffered a six-wicket loss in that high-stakes clash. The pressure was immense as Pakistan headed into their final league match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, desperately seeking a consolation victory. However, persistent rain denied them any chance of redemption, leading to a frustrating and anti-climactic end to their campaign.
The abandoned match left the thousands of home fans in Rawalpindi deeply disappointed, as they had gathered in large numbers in the hope of seeing their team fight for a win. However, with continuous drizzle making conditions unplayable, the umpires and ground officials decided to call off the match after just two hours of waiting.
With Pakistan’s exit, India and New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals from Group A, having convincingly defeated both Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan’s failure to win a single match has once again raised questions about their ability to perform under pressure in ICC tournaments. The early elimination has led to widespread criticism from fans and former cricketers, who have pointed out the team’s lack of planning, execution, and composure in crucial moments.
As Pakistan now looks ahead to future international assignments, the team management and selectors will have to address the glaring issues that led to their downfall in the Champions Trophy. With the T20 World Cup coming up later in the year, major changes in strategy and personnel might be required if Pakistan hopes to redeem itself and regain its status as a formidable force in world cricket.
