Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended in early disappointment as they were eliminated in the group stage. Despite the excitement surrounding the event, which marked Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC tournament in 29 years, the team faced a series of challenges both on and off the field.
Struggles on the Field and Setbacks
Entering the tournament with a recent tri-series defeat, Pakistan’s start was far from ideal. In their opening match against New Zealand, the team suffered a significant loss, setting the tone for a difficult tournament. Their second match, a crucial showdown against their arch-rivals India, brought no relief. The defeat further dashed their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
Fate Sealed and Early Elimination
The team’s fate was effectively sealed when New Zealand triumphed over Bangladesh in their next match. This result confirmed Pakistan’s early exit from the competition. The final group-stage match against Bangladesh was marred by rain, resulting in a no-result. With only one point from three matches, Pakistan ended up last in Group A, and their net run rate of -1.087 further highlighted the extent of their struggles.
Champions Trophy Prize Pool and Pakistan’s Earnings
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has seen a substantial increase in prize money, with a total pool of $6.9 million—a 53% increase from the 2017 edition. The tournament winner will receive $2.24 million, and the runner-up will bag $1.12 million. Even the losing semi-finalists are guaranteed $560,000 each. For teams finishing 7th and 8th, the prize stands at $140,000.
Despite their early elimination, Pakistan will walk away with $265,000 (approximately 2.3 crore INR), a sum reflecting their participation and their disappointing finish at the bottom of the table.
Looking Ahead: Questions for the Future
While Pakistan secured the hosting rights for this prestigious tournament, their early exit leaves much to be desired. With a combination of political instability, security concerns, and financial hardships affecting the country, the loss adds to the growing list of challenges faced by the team.
Fans and cricketing authorities alike will undoubtedly reflect on what went wrong. As Pakistan looks to the future, the team will need to regroup and rethink their approach ahead of upcoming ICC events.
What do you think of Pakistan’s performance in the Champions Trophy 2025? How can they improve in the future? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
