Pakistan had a forgettable run in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, exiting their home tournament without securing a single win. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, they suffered a 60-run defeat in their opener against New Zealand and failed to bounce back against arch-rivals India in a one-sided encounter.
Their lacklustre display against Rohit Sharma‘s men drew heavy criticism as they struggled with both bat and ball. After opting to bat first, Pakistan managed only 241 runs, with Rizwan’s passive approach coming under scrutiny. India chased down the target comfortably, winning with over seven overs to spare, capped off by a century from Virat Kohli.
Former Pakistan pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz didn’t hold back, pointing out the team’s weak body language and how pressure visibly affected the players before the high-stakes clash.
“There’s no doubt that India were ahead of Pakistan in the match. When I saw the toss, I noticed the Pakistan captain (Mohammad Rizwan) seemed distant and off. I’m not sure if it was the pressure, but he didn’t have his usual composure,” Nawaz shared with Cricbuzz.
“He wasn’t his usual talkative self and was unusually quiet, which was unlike him. Something seemed off. The real issue, however, was Pakistan’s poor team selection. If the right players aren’t chosen, the opposition will always be at an advantage,” he added.
He also revealed that he had written to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi ahead of the tournament, suggesting two players who could have made a difference, but they were ultimately overlooked.
“The game felt one-sided because Pakistan’s team was not well-selected. They didn’t bring spinners with them, and then the injuries to Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman didn’t help. The team was unbalanced, with some players only included due to backing from higher authorities,” Nawaz explained.
“When the team was announced, I reached out to the PCB chairman, suggesting spinners like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who had performed brilliantly against England and the West Indies. They should have been part of the squad, but unfortunately, they were overlooked,” the 76-year-old said.