Pakistan’s disastrous exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked widespread criticism, following a six-wicket loss to India in Dubai that all but ended their title defense.
The team’s performance, marked by underwhelming batting and bowling displays, has left fans and experts questioning what went wrong, particularly as Pakistan is co-hosting the tournament.
Disappointing loss to India
Batting first, Pakistan posted a modest total of 241 runs, only to be comfortably chased down by India, who won with 45 balls to spare. Virat Kohli’s masterful century guided India to victory, and Pakistan’s inability to defend a relatively reachable target raised alarms about their readiness and form.
This defeat, coupled with earlier losses to New Zealand and Bangladesh, meant that Pakistan’s hopes of advancing from the group stages were dashed. As a result, both India and New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals from Group A, leaving Pakistan to ponder what went wrong.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are out of Champions Trophy 2025
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Former Cricketers Demand Change
The backlash following the defeat has been swift and severe. Pakistan cricket legends, including Wasim Akram, Salim Altaf, and Shoaib Akhtar, have all voiced their frustration with the current state of the team. Akram, in particular, has called for an overhaul of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket, urging the selectors to introduce younger, fearless players to rejuvenate the squad.
Wasim Akram calls for Urgent Reform
Wasim Akram did not mince words when discussing Pakistan’s defeat. Speaking on a television program, Akram expressed his frustration with the team’s stagnant approach to white-ball cricket.
“We have been backing these players for the last few years but they are not learning nor improving,” former captain Wasim Akram told AFP. “It is time for a major shake-up. We need to improve our system of domestic cricket so that we can produce quality cricketers, not ordinary ones.”
“Enough is enough. We have been playing archaic cricket in white-ball for ages,” Akram said. He advocated for bold changes, including dropping underperforming senior players and introducing new blood, even if it meant enduring short-term losses.
“If you need to make five or six changes, just do it,” Akram urged. “You might keep losing for the next six months. It’s fine, but start building the team for the 2026 T20 World Cup from now.”
Criticism of Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
One of the main points of contention for Akram was Pakistan’s bowling attack. He highlighted alarming statistics, pointing out that Pakistan’s bowlers have taken just 24 wickets in their last five ODIs, with an average of 60 runs per wicket. “Our average is even poorer than Oman and the USA,” Akram noted, stressing the dire need for reform in the bowling department.
He also voiced concerns about Pakistan’s fast bowlers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, who have all failed to make an impact in recent matches. Akram’s criticism extended to the selectors for sticking with a squad that had underperformed in key matches.
Shoaib Akhtar and other experts demand immediate overhaul
Shoaib Akhtar, another Pakistan cricket legend, shared Akram’s concerns, emphasizing the poor quality of the team’s performance. “What Pakistan displayed against India, even that is not a type of club cricket,” Akhtar said. He blamed the team management’s decisions for the team’s continued struggles, adding that their selections contradicted expert advice.
Former fast bowler Salim Altaf expressed profound disappointment. “This team needs a total overhaul. There is no spark in batting, bowling, and fielding.” Salim told Dawn News. “Their body language is showing perhaps they are fed up with cricket.”
Shahid Afridi, too, raised concerns about Pakistan’s squad balance. He stressed that while other teams had arrived at the Champions Trophy with carefully selected squads, Pakistan had made mistakes in their selection, particularly in choosing the right combination of spinners and all-rounders.
Leadership Concerns: The Captain’s Role
Another issue that has come under scrutiny is the leadership of captain Mohammad Rizwan. Akram questioned Rizwan’s ability to inspire and lead the team, suggesting that if the captain did not know what kind of match-winner he needed, it reflected poorly on his leadership. “He is the leader of the ship, and if he doesn’t know what kind of match-winner he needs, then it’s embarrassing,” Akram said.
Accountability and Reform
As Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy comes to a disappointing end, the need for accountability from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has become a central topic. Akram urged PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to call the team’s leadership and selectors to task, demanding an explanation for the selection choices that have led to the team’s downfall.
“There has to be accountability,” Akram insisted. “Chairman sir, please call the captain, selection committee, and coach and ask them what kind of selection they have made.”
What’s next for Pakistan Cricket team?
With Pakistan’s hopes of advancing in the ICC Champions Trophy now extinguished, the focus shifts to the future. Akram’s call for drastic reforms, starting with the introduction of younger, more fearless players, may be the only way forward if Pakistan is to remain competitive in the international arena.
While the immediate future may hold more losses, Akram’s plea to build for the 2026 T20 World Cup could be a pivotal turning point in Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes. It remains to be seen if the Pakistan Cricket Board will heed these calls for change and set a new course for the team.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, taking place in Pakistan and the UAE, is nearing its final stages as the group matches come to a close. The tournament features eight teams divided into two groups: Group A consists of India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan, while Group B includes Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
India and New Zealand have already secured their semi-final spots from Group A, with both sides winning their first two matches. The two teams will meet on March 2 to determine who tops the group. Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, has been eliminated from the tournament after failing to progress.
Group B remains wide open, with Australia and South Africa leading the charge after their victories over England and Afghanistan in their opening matches. The semi-finalists will be decided soon, with India set to play in the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4, followed by New Zealand in the second semi-final in Lahore on March 5.
| Matches | Teams qualified | Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | A |
| 2 | New Zealand | A |
| 3 | TBD | B |
| 4 | TBD | B |