Pakistan became the first host nation in ICC Champions Trophy history to exit the tournament without a victory, facing defeats against New Zealand and India, and experiencing a rainout against Bangladesh. Hosted in 2025, this tournament concluded Pakistan’s title defense in mere six days, while India and New Zealand advanced to the semifinals.
In the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan made history for an undesirable reason by becoming the first host nation to exit the tournament without securing a victory. Despite hopes for a triumphant end, Pakistan faced consecutive defeats; they lost to New Zealand by 60 runs and India by 6 wickets, with a final match against Bangladesh being abandoned due to rain. This unfortunate outcome marks a record low in the tournament’s history, overshadowing the past performance of host nations.
Historically, other host nations had better outcomes. For instance, Sri Lanka won the title in 2002, while other hosts like England and South Africa reached finals and semifinals in subsequent tournaments. Pakistan entered the competition as the defending champions but were eliminated within a week, having lost all three of their group matches, thereby leading to their early exit. The competition was notably the first major ICC tournament held in Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
In Group A of the tournament, India and New Zealand performed commendably, each winning two matches and securing their spots in the semifinals. Their achievements will allow them to continue competing, with semifinal matches scheduled shortly thereafter. Pakistan’s failure to win any matches this year adds a somber chapter to their cricketing history, eclipsing the success of previous host nations.
In summary, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy saw Pakistan create a regrettable record by exiting as the first host nation without a win. Their defeats to New Zealand and India, coupled with a rainout against Bangladesh, prevented any chance of advancement. In contrast, India and New Zealand moved forward to the semifinals, showcasing a stark contrast in performance. This event highlights the challenges faced by Pakistan in defending their title within their home grounds.
Original Source: www.news18.com
