Hosts and defending champions Pakistan had a nightmare start to their 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, suffering a 60-run defeat against New Zealand. The tournament’s opening match set the tone, and their struggles continued with a six-wicket loss to India in Dubai, which effectively ended any hopes of reaching the semifinals.

Rain Forces Final Match Abandonment

Pakistan’s hopes of salvaging a respectable finish were dashed when rain forced the abandonment of their final match against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Ground. With no chance to redeem themselves, Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment, leaving fans and players alike frustrated by their early exit from the competition.

Key Misstep: Fakhar Zaman’s Absence from Opening

One of Pakistan’s biggest errors in the tournament was failing to utilise their star opener, Fakhar Zaman, at the top of the order. Zaman himself reflected on this mistake, admitting that had he opened the innings in their first match against New Zealand, chasing the daunting target of 320 runs, the result could have been different.

Unfortunately for Zaman, he sustained an injury during the match in Karachi and was ruled out of the tournament due to a recurring knee issue. His replacement, Imam-ul-Haq, stepped in but couldn’t turn things around as Pakistan’s batting struggled.

Zaman Reflects on Missed Opportunity

Zaman, in a video posted by the Pakistan Cricket Board, said, “Had I opened, things could have been different. When you’re chasing a big target, the opener has a big role to play.” His absence was felt as Pakistan faltered in their chase against New Zealand, ultimately losing by 60 runs.

Despite his setback, Zaman remains optimistic about his recovery. He shared that he has seen significant improvement in his injury over the past week. “The doctor has said I can start training after three weeks, so I should be back in one month,” he added, offering hope to both himself and the team.

Looking Beyond White-Ball Cricket

While Zaman has made a name for himself in limited-overs cricket, he still harbors a desire to play in the longer format. He expressed his passion for red-ball cricket, saying, “I still want to play Tests. But the coaches and captain have their own plans. I also feel there are better Test players in Pakistan.”

Zaman also stated his preference to return to opening the batting upon his return, though he acknowledged that the final decision rests with the team management. “I would like to open on my comeback, but it’s up to them where they want to keep me,” he said.

A Disappointing Campaign with Room for Improvement

Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy was a disappointing chapter in their cricketing journey. With key players like Fakhar Zaman sidelined, and several missteps along the way, their chances of progressing in the tournament were squandered.

As Zaman looks ahead to his return to action, the Pakistan team will undoubtedly reflect on this campaign. They’ll need to make crucial adjustments if they are to make a stronger showing in future tournaments.

Will Pakistan bounce back stronger? Or will they need to make changes to their strategy and lineup to regain their competitive edge? Only time will tell.