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Pakistan’s hopes of winning the Champions Trophy 2025 came crashing down as they failed to qualify for the semi-finals after suffering defeats against New Zealand and India. The team, which has historically been known for its unpredictability, failed to deliver under pressure, raising serious questions about their approach and execution in high-stakes encounters.
Despite boasting a squad filled with talent, Pakistan struggled to put together match-winning performances. Their batting unit, particularly the experienced duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, could not produce the kind of impact that was expected of them. With the bowlers also unable to make significant breakthroughs at crucial junctures, Pakistan’s exit from the tournament was inevitable.
Ricky Ponting highlights key reasons for Pakistan’s exit
Former Australian captain and renowned cricket analyst Ricky Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review, dissected Pakistan’s shortcomings and pointed to their inability to utilize key players effectively. According to Ponting, the team’s over-reliance on Babar and Rizwan backfired, as both failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered the most.
“They haven’t been able to give their best to the team. Those two guys had to step up and score big runs,” Ponting stated.
Pakistan’s batting has often been dependent on its top order, and the lack of contributions from its most reliable batters left the middle order exposed. The pressure of chasing or setting up competitive totals seemed to weigh heavily on Babar and Rizwan, leading to Pakistan’s downfall in the tournament.
“And they haven’t been able to do it in the first couple of games, which might be the reason why Pakistan didn’t make it to the semi-finals,” Ponting added.
The inability to adapt to conditions and execute a game plan effectively cost Pakistan dearly, with their batting collapses proving to be a major concern.
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Reputation is key in big matches
Ponting also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of performing in high-pressure games and singled out Indian superstar Virat Kohli for excelling in these situations. He praised Kohli for delivering yet another stellar performance against Pakistan, reinforcing his status as one of the greatest players in world cricket.
“I’ve always said big games require big players. You need your stars to rise to the occasion, and there’s no bigger game for India than one against Pakistan,” Ponting remarked.
He emphasized how great players are remembered for their ability to perform in the most crucial matches, and Kohli has consistently demonstrated this trait throughout his career.
“Your reputation is built on how you perform in the biggest contests on the international stage. So it’s no surprise to me that Kohli stepped up,” he concluded.
