The Champions Trophy has come and gone—at least from Pakistan’s perspective. As the hosts, we had high hopes of making an impact and defending our title from eight years ago. But this time, everything fell apart. Back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and India crushed our campaign, and the rain washed away any last chance of salvaging pride in what became a mere formality match against Bangladesh.
From team selection to preparation and on-field performance, nothing went right for the Greenshirts. It’s often said that good match practice before a major tournament sets the foundation for success. Yet, even the tri-series before the Champions Trophy failed to give Pakistan the competitive edge needed. This became glaringly obvious against New Zealand and India.
Winning and losing is part of the game, but the true hallmark of great teams is the intensity, energy, and game awareness they bring to the field. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s performance lacked all three. There was neither the hunger nor the strategic adaptability required to challenge top-tier opponents. The most alarming issue? Fitness. Not a single player in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad could be classified as meeting elite athletic standards. Too many were merely going through the motions instead of bringing the fighting spirit that has historically allowed Pakistan to punch above its weight.
Yes, New Zealand and India are superior in terms of technical skills and fitness, but Pakistan has always had an X-factor—the ability to turn the tables through sheer grit and determination. This time, that fire was nowhere to be seen. The team lacked the spark, the passion, and the ability to seize key moments. The result? A humiliating early exit that once again highlights the glaring deficiencies in Pakistan’s cricket development system.
What’s next? A Blueprint for Revival
Now, the PCB faces a massive challenge: how to rebuild and prepare for the future. The Asia Cup T20 in October and the ICC T20 World Cup in February 2026 (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka) are the next big events. If Pakistan wants to be a serious contender, the time to act is now.
With PSL 2025 around the corner, the best course of action is to identify a pool of 30 top performers—preferably young, energetic players—by the end of the tournament. This group should undergo specialized fitness training, skill development, and exposure programs to ensure they are battle-ready.
A clear fitness-first approach must be implemented. The team needs technically sound coaches who understand modern T20 dynamics, particularly power-hitting and adaptability in high-pressure situations. Moreover, these youngsters must be mentally conditioned to believe that they belong on the biggest stage.
Pakistan has no shortage of talent—the country breathes cricket. What’s missing is the structured grooming needed to convert raw talent into world-class performers.
If Pakistan is serious about a reset, the following young guns must be considered for future assignments:
• Irfan Khan Niazi
• Sufiyan Moqeem
• Mehran Mumtaz
• Faisal Akram
• Khawaja Nafay
• Jahandad Khan
• Ali Raza
• Azan Owais
• Akif Javed
• Shahzaib Khan
• Mubasir Khan
• Usman Khan (left-handed batter)
• Haroon Arshad
• Abdul Subhan
A bold, ruthless selection policy is the need of the hour. Most of the players from the Champions Trophy squad should not be considered for T20s—it’s time for fresh blood.
The failure in the Champions Trophy should not just be another forgettable chapter in Pakistan’s cricket history. It must serve as a wake-up call. If Pakistan can build a squad with the right mix of youth, fitness, and modern-day T20 skills, a strong resurgence is possible.
The time for change is now. Will the PCB take the right steps?