Pakistan made an early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. What went wrong for them, and what key areas need to be addressed?
Hosts Pakistan have been knocked out of the 2025 Champions Trophy after New Zealand's victory over Bangladesh. However, their fate was all but sealed following back-to-back losses against New Zealand and India. Now, Pakistan’s final group-stage fixture against Bangladesh holds only academic interest.
Pakistan's struggles in ODIs extend beyond this tournament. They recently lost a tri-series finale to New Zealand, and their defeat to India marked their sixth loss in seven ODIs (one no result) since winning the 2017 Champions Trophy final against the same opponents. Additionally, Pakistan failed to make an impact in recent ICC tournaments, exiting at the league stage in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
So, what is plaguing Pakistan’s limited-overs cricket, and how can they turn things around?
Pakistan's Half-baked bowling unit
Unlike T20 cricket, where all-rounders can turn a match with the ball on their day, ODIs require specialist wicket-taking bowlers who can trouble opposition batters with their skills, variations, and consistent line and length. Alternatively, teams need all-rounders who can consistently work their magic with the ball in this format.
Pakistan’s bowling unit, however, does not inspire such confidence. Their main strike bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has looked out of sorts, apart from his magical yorker to India captain Rohit Sharma. Despite being in the ODI setup for seven years, he has played only 64 matches. Fellow pacer Naseem Shah has featured in just 25 ODIs, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has fewer than 10 to his name. Pacer Haris Rauf has 48 ODIs under his belt, while all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha have each played fewer than 35 ODIs. In total, Pakistan’s bowling attack has collectively played around 200 ODIs, taking just 300 wickets—hardly enough experience to instill fear in opposition batters.
In contrast, India’s main strike bowler, Mohammed Shami, has over 100 ODIs to his name, with a tally of 200 wickets. The likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel boast significant success in ODIs, having collectively taken 600 wickets in 500 matches. When Shami’s numbers are added, India’s bowling unit accounts for an impressive 800 wickets.
This highlights a glaring gap in experience, which has been a major factor in Pakistan’s struggles. They have relied on all-rounders like Khushdil and Salman to fulfill the role of a fifth bowler, a weakness that both New Zealand and India have exploited. Afridi was once Pakistan’s go-to bowler, but his current form has been underwhelming. The lack of experience in the bowling department, coupled with the absence of a dependable match-winner, has been Pakistan’s undoing in this tournament.
Read More: CT 2025, PAK vs IND, Group A: Kohli delivers 51st hundred; India a step closer to SF spot
Instability has been Pakistan’s major roadblock
Like Test cricket, ODIs also require a settled batting lineup to maximise the conditions and tackle the opposition's bowling attack effectively. India, for instance, have reaped the rewards of backing their players and providing them with role clarity, despite occasional failures. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, after enduring a lean phase, are now repaying the management’s faith by scoring match-winning centuries.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has been highly unstable, frequently shifting their best batter, Babar Azam, up and down the order. His stint as an opener has not yielded success, as he is more of a grafter than an aggressor. Previously, he was more effective at No. 3 or lower. The lack of a defined role for their batters, coupled with constant chopping and changing, has eroded the players’ confidence. Their insipid batting approach in this tournament has further compounded their woes, as they have struggled to accelerate or force the pace of the innings, often settling for below-par totals on batting-friendly pitches.
Pakistan have also been guilty of lacking stability in their overall setup—not just with players but also with coaches and selectors. Changes are made hastily whenever results don’t go in their favour. This breeds insecurity among batters, who fear losing their spot after just one failure and approach every game as if it could be their last. Frequent coaching dismissals create a negative environment that affects players, while selectors, too, operate under the constant threat of losing their positions. This reactive approach to team management sets Pakistan back even before they step onto the field. Read More: India vs Pakistan ODI History: Complete Factfile
The way ahead
Pakistan have no shortage of talent, but the lack of security in the playing XI hampers player confidence. The constant fear of losing their spot after just one failure often compels batters to prioritise personal milestones over taking risks for the team's benefit. Instead, players should be given the freedom to play their natural game, with the assurance of extended opportunities, even if initial results don’t go their way.
Pakistan must identify a core group of players—a balanced mix of youth and experience—that have the potential to perform and win matches. Giving them a longer run will allow them to settle into their roles, build confidence, and ultimately rediscover their best form. Read More: Virat 'Chase-master' Kohli: Dissection of his match-winning knock against Pakistan
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