In the tournament opener, Host Pakistan was comprehensively beaten by New Zealand which meant that the second game for Pakistan against arch-rivals India was a must-win for the host.
On Super Sunday, Team India beat Pakistan by six wickets. This meant that Pakistan had now just a remote chance to qualify for the knockouts.
For Pakistan to qualify for the knockouts, they will have to rely on some of the balance fixtures in their group to go their way and also win their game against Bangladesh by a big margin.
The scenario for Pakistan to qualify before the Bangladesh – New Zealand fixture
- Bangladesh beats New Zealand.
- Pakistan beats Bangladesh (with a better Run rate).
- India beats New Zealand.
The margin of Pakistan‘s win and New Zealand‘s defeats should be big enough to push Pakistan‘s run rate above New Zealand and Bangladesh.
With 2 wins, India already had one foot in the door for the knockout phase.
The New Zealand – Bangladesh game was eagerly watched by all Pakistani fans to see if New Zealand slips up on Monday at the Rawalpindi Stadium. Unfortunately, breaking Pakistan fan hearts, New Zealand, one of the tournament favourites beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets.
This win means that both India and New Zealand are through to the knockout stage. The New Zealand—India fixture will now be a mere formality to know the position in the table for the two qualifiers.
Pakistan’s poor ICC Champions Trophy Campaign
Pakistan hosting the ICC event was a hot favorite due to home conditions but little did the cricket fan know that the host will be the first team to be knocked out of the tournament.
Even the Great Sunil Gavaskar had named Pakistan as the tournament favourite before the Champions Trophy 2025 began.
Gavaskar’s Bold Prediction for 2025 Champions Trophy | What Makes Pakistan So Dangerous?
Pakistan’s Performance in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan had a poor start to their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign losing to New Zealand in the tournament opener. Pakistan was convincingly beaten by the Kiwis with a margin of 60 runs.
Clinical win from NZ! Important tons from Young and Latham but Phillips was the difference between 280 and 320. I think pressure got to Pak, they played too many dot balls and also Fakhar could have been used in powerplay considering his injury concerns. #PAKvNZ #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/Zsbn36IB3P
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 19, 2025
The host nation’s trouble doubled when they lost to their arch-rivals India in their second outing. The India – Pakistan Clash was pitted as the match of the tournament, but unfortunately, the clash did not live up to the expectations and the game was a one-sided affair with India convincingly winning the marquee game by 6 wickets.
Where does Kohli's innings rank among his other knocks against Pakistan? 📈https://t.co/ZaKFx4segN #INDvPAK #ChampionsTrophy #CT2025 pic.twitter.com/dmPu4zrPPB
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 23, 2025
The game was a happy moment for all Indian fans who saw Virat Kohli come back to form with a well-compiled century. It was Virat’s 51st century in ODI.
The defeat to India almost knocked Pakistan out of the semifinal race and the host nation needed a miracle to qualify which was shattered after the New Zealand- Bangladesh fixture. With New Zealand winning the game by 5 wickets.
It was not India, But New Zealand who firmly shut the door for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign.
Rachin Ravindra’s fourth ODI hundred comes at the perfect time for New Zealand 💪
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 24, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/tmmbdMUQ2N | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/QpcEt8C3It
Pakistan’s Last Match – Playing for Pride
Pakistan would need to beat Bangladesh in their final group game to salvage some pride in front of their home fans.
With the tournament favorites Pakistan being eliminated early, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already delivered shocking results, proving once again that cricket is an unpredictable game.
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