Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 campaign was nothing short of nightmarish as they faced an early elimination from the eight-team tournament. Pakistan, who were hosting its first ever ICC tournament in last 29 years, were knocked out of the Champions Trophy in just five days. They got off to a nightmarish start to their Champions Trophy 2025 as they suffered back-to-back losses in their first two matches against New Zealand and India. Their only hope to survive in the tournament was New Zealand beating Bangladesh in their encounter. But the Blackcaps did just the opposite and thrashed Bangladesh by five wickets riding on Rachin Ravindra's century and Michael Bracewell's four-fer. New Zealand's emphatic win ended both Pakistan and Bangladesh's campaign and confired their and India's berths in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals.
Pakistan on brink of unwanted Champions Trophy records
Now, Pakistan will play for pride in their last league-stage match against Bangladesh, which is a dead rubber contest between two teams already eliminated. While the game presents an opportunity to salvage some pride, it also carries the risk of a historically embarrassing record for the defending champions.
Pakistan, the 2017 Champions Trophy title winners, are in danger of becoming the first defending champions to lose all three group stage matches without securing a single point. A defeat against Bangladesh would put a stamp on this unwanted distinction. While Australia, the 2009 champions, also failed to win a game in the 2013 edition, their record included a washed-out match, granting them a single point.
Pakistan's dismal Champions Trophy 2025 campaign is marred by multiple unwanted records. Their early exit will mark them as the second host nation to be eliminated without a single win. Kenya hold the unfortunate distinction of being the first, having suffered a similar fate in the 2000 tournament. Additionally, Pakistan's performance replicates South Africa's 2009 experience, making them only the second host nation in the tournament's history to finish at the bottom of their group and be knocked out.
ALSO READ: One individual arrested as PCB takes serious action against security breach in Champions Trophy 2025
Moreover, Pakistan's failure extends to a broader historical context. As defending champions, their group stage elimination places them among a select group of underperforming titleholders. They become the fourth team in Champions Trophy history to enter the tournament as defending champions and subsequently crash out in the group stage. This unenviable record is shared with India, Sri Lanka (in 2002), and Australia (in 2013), highlighting the significant challenge of maintaining dominance in this highly competitive tournament.