Pakistan became the first host nation in ICC Champions Trophy history to exit without a win, suffering defeats against New Zealand and India, and a rain-cancelled match against Bangladesh. As defending champions, their campaign concluded in disappointment within six days, marking a historic low for the tournament.
In the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan became the first host nation in tournament history to conclude their campaign without a single win. Their unfortunate run included defeats to New Zealand and India, followed by a rain-affected match against Bangladesh, resulting in no games played at home yielding victory. A 60-run loss to New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 was followed by a second defeat where India triumphed by 6 wickets, effectively sealing Pakistan’s fate.
This tournament marked a significant disappointment for the Pakistani team, which entered as defending champions only to see their title defense end within a week. The last match against Bangladesh, scheduled for February 27 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, was ultimately washed out by rain, concluding Pakistan’s participation without a win. Previously, only one host nation had comparable misfortune, as Kenya, in 2000, did not win a match but had participated in a playoff stage before the main tournament commenced.
Historically, the performance of host nations in the Champions Trophy has varied considerably. Sri Lanka achieved shared championship status in 2002, while other hosts, including England and South Africa, have reached finals or semifinals in subsequent competitions. Conversely, Pakistan’s dismal results in the 2025 tournament serve as a stark reminder of the competitive nature of international cricket.
As Pakistan looks onward, the tournament has seen India and New Zealand advance to the semifinals with two victories each in Group A. India will participate in their semifinal match on March 2, followed by New Zealand on March 3. The final match of the tournament is scheduled for March 9, where both teams will vie for the trophy in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the competition.
Pakistan’s exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy, devoid of wins, represents a historic disappointment as the first host nation to achieve this outcome. Despite entering the tournament as defending champions, their campaign ended abruptly with back-to-back defeats and an unfortunate rain cancellation. This event highlights the unpredictability and competitiveness of international cricket, setting a severe learning curve for the team.
Original Source: www.news18.com
