Key Points:
- Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals ended after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in Rawalpindi.
- India and New Zealand have secured the top two spots in Group A, each with four points, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are eliminated.
- Pakistan’s group-stage exit in their first home ICC tournament since 1996 is being labeled a major embarrassment for the team and the PCB.
- Reports suggest potential changes in Pakistan’s coaching staff and concerns over sponsorship losses following this poor performance.
- India and New Zealand will face each other on March 2 to finalize group standings, with the semi-finals scheduled for March 4 and 5.
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events at the Champions Trophy 2025, hosts Pakistan were officially knocked out of the tournament after New Zealand secured a comfortable five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday. The result not only sealed New Zealand’s spot in the semi-finals but also confirmed India’s qualification, leaving Pakistan and Bangladesh out of contention.
This marks a disappointing group-stage exit for Pakistan in their first ICC tournament hosted at home since 1996, sparking criticism from fans and experts alike.
New Zealand’s Clinical Chase Ends Pakistan’s Slim Hopes
New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh was spearheaded by an outstanding century from Rachin Ravindra, who scored a blistering 112 off 105 balls. Chasing a modest target of 237 set by Bangladesh, the Kiwis reached 238/5 comfortably with 26 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum, finishing at 236/9 in their 50 overs. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with a gritty 77 off 110 balls, but lackluster contributions from other batters left them short of a competitive total. New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, ensured that Bangladesh never got going.
The win brought New Zealand to four points alongside India in Group A, making it mathematically impossible for Pakistan or Bangladesh—both stuck at zero points—to catch up.
Pakistan’s Campaign: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
Pakistan entered the tournament with high expectations as hosts but failed to deliver when it mattered most. Their campaign began with a crushing 60-run loss to New Zealand in Karachi, followed by a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sunday.
The Men in Green had a slim chance of advancing if Bangladesh had defeated New Zealand by a significant margin and Pakistan had beaten Bangladesh in their final group-stage match. However, Monday’s result extinguished those hopes.
The upcoming match between Pakistan and Bangladesh on February 27 is now a dead rubber, though Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride by securing at least one win in front of their home crowd.
A Blow to PCB and Public Sentiment
Pakistan’s early exit from their home ICC tournament has triggered widespread disappointment among fans and stakeholders. Reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is already considering sacking interim head coach Aaqib Javed and his support staff after the tournament. Additionally, concerns are growing over potential sponsorship losses as the team’s brand value takes a hit following this underwhelming performance.
Cricket analysts have pointed out several issues plaguing the team:
- Poor middle-order batting performances.
- Inconsistent bowling spells during key moments.
- Questionable team selection decisions under pressure.
Former players have called for sweeping reforms within the PCB and team management to prepare for future tournaments.
India and New Zealand: Semi-Finalists Ready for Final League Match
With both semi-final spots from Group A locked up, India and New Zealand will face each other on March 2 in their final league-stage match. This game provides both teams an opportunity to test bench strength and manage player workloads ahead of the knockouts.
India has been dealing with minor injury concerns for key players like Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami, who struggled during their win against Pakistan. Similarly, New Zealand may look to rest some of their senior players ahead of the high-stakes semi-finals.
What Lies Ahead: Semi-Final Schedule
The Champions Trophy semi-finals are scheduled as follows:
- March 4 (Tuesday): Group A topper vs Group B runner-up.
- March 5 (Wednesday): Group B topper vs Group A runner-up.
Group B matches are ongoing, with South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan vying for the top two spots. The finalists will clash on March 8 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
A Tournament to Forget for Hosts
Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy is a bitter pill for fans who had hoped for glory on home soil. While India and New Zealand march confidently into the semi-finals, Pakistan must now focus on rebuilding ahead of future tournaments. For now, all eyes are on how India and New Zealand manage their final league game before entering the knockout stage.
