Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached a critical juncture following their second consecutive defeat, this time against arch-rivals India. The six-wicket loss in Dubai on Sunday has left the defending champions in a perilous position, with their semi-final hopes now dependent on a series of favorable results in the remaining Group A matches.
With two defeats first against New Zealand and now against India Pakistan sits at the bottom of Group A with zero points and a poor net run rate. Their qualification chances are no longer in their control, and only a perfect sequence of results can keep them in contention.
For Pakistan to reach the semi-finals, they need Bangladesh to defeat New Zealand in their upcoming clash on February 24. A New Zealand win would secure their progression alongside India, eliminating both Pakistan and Bangladesh. If Bangladesh manages an upset, Pakistan will then need to secure a dominant victory over Bangladesh on February 27 to improve their net run rate.
The final twist in the qualification race would come on March 2, when Pakistan would require India to beat New Zealand convincingly, leaving all three teams Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh on two points, with net run rate deciding the second semi-finalist.
Net run rate (NRR) is a crucial factor in this equation. Pakistan’s NRR is currently the worst in the group, meaning even if all results align, a narrow win against Bangladesh may not be enough. A comprehensive victory will be essential to surpass New Zealand in the standings.
Adding to the uncertainty, a rain-affected match could completely derail Pakistan’s hopes. A washout in any of the remaining Group A games would result in shared points, making it mathematically impossible for Pakistan to qualify.
The defending champions now find themselves in a desperate situation, relying not just on their own performance but on the outcomes of other matches. While the odds are firmly against them, Pakistan will be hoping for a dramatic turnaround to keep their title defense alive in this unpredictable tournament.
