The hosts of Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan are out of the tournament after facing a humiliating loss against India. Notably, Pakistan face three consecutive group-stage exits in three consecutive ICC events. New Zealand’s second win against Bangladesh confirmed the defending champion’s exit from the tournament. In this article, let’s see how Pakistan Champions Trophy dream shattered.
Virat Kohli’s Century Ends Pakistan Champions Trophy Dream
In a thrilling India vs Pakistan clash at the Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass, scoring an unbeaten 100* to lead India into the semi-finals. This remarkable century marked his 51st in ODIs and 82nd in international cricket, bringing him within 18 tons of Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary record of 100 international hundreds.
Kohli’s heroics didn’t stop there. He became the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, securing third place on the all-time ODI run-scorers list, behind only Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. Additionally, he surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the third-highest run-scorer across all formats, amassing 27,503 runs.
Beyond his batting brilliance, Kohli set a new fielding milestone by taking his 158th ODI catch, surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin (156) to become India’s leading catcher in the format. This record-breaking performance not only earned Kohli the Player of the Match award but also dashed Pakistan’s hopes of advancing in the tournament. It was a day where Kohli redefined excellence, cementing his legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greats.
'For now, it's over': Rizwan Accepts Pakistan's Champions Trophy Elimination
“Our Champions Trophy campaign is effectively over,” Mohammad Rizwan conceded, the disappointment palpable. Pakistan Champions Trophy captain acknowledged their fate was sealed after a six-wicket defeat to India, leaving them reliant on improbable scenarios to progress. “We’re dependent on other teams now,” he stated, highlighting the team’s reliance on external results.
Rizwan expressed his frustration with this situation, emphasizing a preference for self-determination. “I don’t like relying on others,” he said. “If you can win, do it. If not, accept it.” He stressed the team’s acceptance of their performance, acknowledging that they simply weren’t good enough.
Mohammad Rizwan statement after losing rivalry match
Despite the slim mathematical chance of qualification, Rizwan focused on the reality of their situation. “We’ll see what happens in the other games, but realistically, it’s finished,” he admitted. He emphasized that the team had discussed aiming for a higher score, believing 270-280 would have been competitive on the slow Dubai pitch.
Rizwan addressed the middle-order collapse, acknowledging their poor shot selection and inability to handle pressure. “We built a partnership, but we took too much time, and then we lost wickets,” he explained. He also defended the team’s decision to play only one specialist spinner, arguing that India’s spin attack was bolstered by all-rounders.
The Pakistan captain’s words reflected a mix of disappointment and acceptance. He acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and the unlikelihood of their progression, while maintaining a sliver of hope. “We believe in Allah,” he said, but the underlying message was clear: Pakistan Champions Trophy journey had reached its end.
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Former Pakistan Cricketer Raise Questions on Champions Trophy Schedule after Pakistan’s Early Exit
Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja criticized Pakistan Champions Trophy strategy, questioning their decision to play New Zealand first instead of Bangladesh. He argued that facing Bangladesh initially would have eased pressure and created a level playing field in Group A.
Raja believes the loss to New Zealand put undue pressure on Pakistan, which resulted their subsequent defeat to India. He suggested a “schedule conspiracy”, stating that playing Bangladesh or India first would have equalized the pressure.
Pakistan’s loss to India, highlighted by Virat Kohli’s match-winning century, jeopardized their title defense. Kohli’s masterful innings, featuring calmness and aggression, proved insurmountable for Pakistan. Raja praised Kohli’s complete performance and his ability to maintain composure under pressure.
Ultimately, Ramiz Raja’s critique centers on the perceived scheduling disadvantage and the team’s inability to overcome the resulting pressure.