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Pakistan Team is set to undergo a massive culling round following their horrendous Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan have been knocked out of the Champions Trophy after their back-to-back defeats against India and New Zealand respectively. Reportedly, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in full action mode after Pakistan's Champions Trophy horror. However, the board has made a conscious decision to maintain silence regarding team matters until the tournament's conclusion on March 9 despite Pakistan's early exit from the eight-team tournament.
PCB set to appoint new head coach after Pakistan's Champions Trophy exit
According to a source within the PCB, officials are deeply dismayed by the team's performance throughout the tournament, especially after their six-wicket drubbing against their arch-rivals India in Dubai.
"But, looking at the larger picture, which is the successful hosting of the Champions Trophy and to ensure it brings positive publicity for Pakistan cricket as a host nation, it has been decided to say nothing on the team's performance for now," Source privy to the development told PTI.
An internal agreement has been reached within the PCB to refrain from public discussions concerning the national team, player selection, or future strategies. The rationale behind this decision is to prevent any distractions during the remainder of the Champions Trophy and to avoid generating negative publicity for Pakistan cricket. Officials believe that engaging in such discussions at this time would only serve to divert attention from the tournament itself and potentially create unwanted headlines.
"As it is, even the board leadership realises there is no excuse or defence that can be given for the team's abject failure in the event," the source added.
PCB views the successful execution of the Champions Trophy as a crucial step towards attracting more international cricket events to Pakistan, despite the considerable challenges encountered in securing hosting rights. However, the PCB acknowledges that a thorough review of the team's performance and the factors contributing to their early exit will be conducted after the tournament concludes.
It has been learnt that that Aaqib Javed's contract as the interim head coach of the Pakistan cricket team will expire on February 27. PCB is planning to appoint a new head coach for the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand. However, there is a possibility that the board may initially opt to hire someone on an interim basis while they conduct a more thorough search for a long-term appointment. This pattern of coaching changes continues a trend for the PCB, following recent departures of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie. Pakistan are scheduled to tour New Zealand for a white-ball series beginning on March 15. The appointment is expected to be done prior to the commencement of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle, which begins in August of this year.
"So, definitely, the board will have to name a head coach for the NZ tour, but that appointment could also be of interim nature, someone from the national high performance centre since the PCB has not started the process of appointing a permanent head coach," the source concluded.
