The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is ongoing as yet, with group-stage matches still being conducted and knockouts to begin next week. But hosts and defending champions Pakistan are in the unfortunate situation of having to sit out the remainder of the tournament on the sidelines, either on television or from the stands as spectators.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invested a lot of money in this ninth Champions Trophy, the first international cricket match to be staged in Pakistan since the Wills World Cup of 1996. The board, under Mohsin Naqvi, apparently had to resort to an overdraft after reconstruction costs at the three venues for the tournament increased to PKR 8 billion (approximately INR 561 crore).
For the tournament to be deemed a success in Pakistan, the team, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, needed to at least reach the semi-finals. As defending champions, having notoriously defeated India in the 2017 final at The Oval, there were expectations despite recent inconsistency, particularly in a previous ODI triangular series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Unfortunately, the hoped-for home ground advantage was not witnessed, as Pakistani cricket fans were only treated to a single game featuring their country. The tournament began on a low note with a disappointing 60-run loss by New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi, and things never improved.
The next match against arch-enemies India was also equally disappointing, as Virat Kohli’s dominant century assisted India in chasing a 242-run target with ease. Pakistan’s elimination from the tournament was confirmed the following day, as New Zealand secured their semi-final berth with a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Pakistan still harbored hopes of redemption in their final Group A match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, but persistent rain dashed any hope of a farewell victory. The match was abandoned without a single ball having been bowled, with both teams left with a point and Pakistan at the foot of Group A.
The last few months have been dramatic for Pakistani cricket, with high-profile criticism of the ongoing renovations at the National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Security is a major concern, especially after the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team that rendered Pakistan a no-go zone for international cricket for years. Recent incidents like pitch invasions and threats from extremist forces directed at the event have only made things more difficult for the PCB.
In such a background, a positive outing by the home team would have hugely lifted the spirits of supporters and stakeholders both. But things did not quite go that way, and now the PCB and team management are left to grapple with the daunting task of making important decisions while charting their future action plan.
