Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem made history as he became the first cricketer to score more than 10 runs while batting at no. 12. His unexpected role came after a late change in Pakistan's lineup in their second ODI match against New Zealand at Hamilton on Wednesday, April 2.

Muqeem's sudden appearance in the 12th position was due to a concussion substitute ruling. Their fast bowler Haris Rauf suffered a head injury, which led Naseem Shah to replace him. 

The quick change pushed Muqeem into play, where he managed to add a crucial 13 runs in 10 balls with a four and six. His knock stood out in an otherwise tough game for Pakistan that day.

PAK falls to NZ for the second time

Despite Muqeem’s record, together with Faheem Ashraf and Naseem’s batting skills, Pakistan could not avoid defeat. New Zealand secured a series-clinching win in the second match, winning the three-match series 2-0.

Batting first, the hosts swiftly posted a 292/8 total in their 50 overs, while Pakistan struggled throughout the match, leaving with an 84-run deficit. Their final match will be played on Saturday, April 5, at Mount Maunganui.

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New Zealand thrashed Pakistan with a 115-run victory in the fourth T20I match at Mount Maunganui, sealing the five-match series at 3-1. This crushing defeat marks Pakistan’s worst-ever loss in T20 cricket.

Batting first, New Zealand posted a massive total of 220/6 in 20 overs. Finn Allen set a game-high 50 runs off just 20 balls. Tim Seifert added 44 off 22 balls, while Michael Bracewell quickly chipped in with 46 off 26. 

Allen was on a roll on match day. His record quickly grew as he hit six fours and three sixes, which helped the Black Caps�?score rise quickly. Their aggressive batting caused the Men in Green to fail to contain runs.

Pakistan’s shuddering defeat

Pakistan’s chase, however, collapsed from the start. The team was only at 9/3 within two overs, and NZ’s bowlers are to blame. Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes ripped through the top order as they claimed eight wickets in total.

Hassan Nawaz had already fallen for just one run. Irfan Khan managed to get 24 and Abdul Samad fought with a 44-run knock, but the Men in Green could only reach 105/10 in 16.2 overs.

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Pakistan is out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and fans are upset. The team lost to India by six wickets. They needed Bangladesh to beat New Zealand to stay in the tournament but the team failed to reach their goal. Because of the results, Pakistan was eliminated in the competition.

Former players want huge changes. Ex-captain Wasim Akram said the team has not improved. He blamed the local cricket scene for not producing quality players. Rashid Latif also said too many changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team management hurt the team. 

Pakistan has struggled for a long time. They failed in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup after losing to India, and the T20 World Cup last year. They also finished last in the World Test Championship. Fans are tired of the losses, and many believe Pakistan cricket is getting worse.

Experts say Pakistan cricket is weak because of bad pitches, poor coaching, and frequent board changes. They believe the PCB has no clear plan, leading to bad team selection and coaching problems.

Injuries and poor team choices

Shahid Afridi criticised the team’s old-fashioned style. He said they still play like it’s the 1980s. He wants a fresh start so Pakistan can play with more aggression.

Injuries also strained the team. Saim Ayub injured his ankle, so the team delayed picking the final squad. Fakhar Zaman got injured after the first match. He was replaced by Imam-ul-Haq, who only scored 10 runs against India.

Pakistan’s fast bowlers were also a problem. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf were rested before the tournament to keep them fresh. They looked unprepared and could not stop runs in key moments.

Selection choices were also questioned. Pakistan picked Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf because of their performances in Bangladesh’s T20 league. 

Fans voice concerns: Is Pakistan cricket in crisis?

Fans were upset after the loss to India. A cafe owner in Karachi shared that many people turned off the TV because they didn’t want to see the defeat. A chef in Islamabad said the team had a 'loser’s mindset' and did not try to fight back. Some fans even left the stadium early, and declined to watch more.

Fans think Pakistan cricket needs huge changes. They want better team selection, coaching, and a modern playing style. Others say the team lacks discipline and a winning mentality. Some believe Pakistan needs a strong leader, like Virat Kohli or Ben Stokes, who can inspire the team and change their approach.

Pakistan cricket is at a crossroads. Without major changes, they will keep falling behind top teams. The Champions Trophy exit is a clear signal that a new strategy is needed to turn things around.

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Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, shared his views after a tough loss to India in the Champions Trophy. The match saw Pakistan fall short by six wickets, putting them in danger of leaving the tournament early.

Despite winning the toss, Pakistan could not take advantage. Their batting was slow, and they only managed 241 runs. Rizwan noted, 'We didn't get the benefit of the toss,' as India's bowlers performed well and kept their top stars quiet. Key player Virat Kohli shined, scoring an unbeaten 51 runs, which helped India secure the win.

Rizwan analyses Pakistan's mistakes

Rizwan also talked about poor shot choices and dropped catches that added to their problems. He said, 'We need to improve our fielding. We made a lot of mistakes.' Pakistan’s need to sharpen their skills is clear, as they must win their next game against Bangladesh to move forward in the tournament.

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The Pakistan cricket team wants to defend their championship in the ICC Champions Trophy. While they have a strong squad headlined by captain Mohammad Rizwan, they are getting a significant boost with the return of Haris Rauf.

Rizwan believes the fast bowler is prepared to play for their first One-Day International (ODI) match against New Zealand. That is fantastic news, considering Rauf can boost the team’s chances of winning games and even the entire tournament.

Rauf is ready to contribute for Pakistan

After suffering a muscular sprain in his chest area back in early February, Rauf is back and better than ever. He last played against the Black Caps, and he will potentially return against the same country. 

Pakistan, especially, Rizwan is ecstatic with the news of Rauf returning to the squad. The captain said, ‘He's bowling with full rhythm today, too. He's also putting work in the gym and isn't complaining of any pains. We think he's fully fit�?

With this news, expect Pakistan to compete at the highest level and look to stay in title contention.

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Pakistan will host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, its first major cricket tournament in almost 30 years. The event starts in Karachi, where Pakistan will face New Zealand. 

This is a great moment as Pakistan has not hosted a top ICC event since 2009. That year, an attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore led to teams avoiding tours in the country. Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq noted that Pakistan suffered for years as cricket moved away.

Cricket comes home in Pakistan

For a long time, Pakistan had to play 'home' games in the UAE. Now, fans can watch big matches in their stadiums. Former captain Aamer Sohail said the crowd’s energy was strong during a warm-up match against South Africa. 

However, India will not play in Pakistan due to political issues. If India and Pakistan meet in the final, the match will be in Dubai. Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that India-Pakistan matches go beyond just cricket, they are fueled with expectations and emotions. 

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Pakistan is set to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9, 2025 marking its first major cricket tournament since 1996. This event is seen as an opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its passion for cricket and its ability to host global events despite political challenges.

This year’s Champions Trophy will feature the top eight ODI teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The teams will face each other in a group stage and knockout format across venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched ample preparations, starting with National Stadium’s renovations in Karachi. It features an increased seating capacity and enhanced facilities to house the influx of global fans.

‘The return of global cricket is not just about hosting matches. It is about restoring pride...and giving back to [those] who stood by Pakistan cricket�? said PCB Chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister and security chief, Mohsin Naqvi.

Champions Trophy structure

Despite the growing excitement for the event, geopolitical tensions have impacted this year’s game structure. Due to an ongoing political dispute, India has opted to play its matches in the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai as the host. 

This change has become a topic of discussion for India accuses the host country to be supporting militant groups. However, the PCB denied and worded that sports should transcend politics. Still, the Indian government expressed aversion to sending their team across the host country’s borders.

Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi expressed disappointment over India’s absence from Pakistan. He noted that hosting India for this event would be a monumental achievement for the country. ‘I think that will be the big breakthrough�? he remarked.

Pakistan on security measures

In light of security concerns, mainly after the 2009 bus attack on Sri Lankan players in Lahore, Pakistan has ensured the teams and global council of everyone's safety for this event.

Over 20,000 troops will be deployed along key routes. Stadiums, airports, and hotels will also be guarded to ease concerns and provide secure conditions for the tournament. Additionally, around 10,000 AI-powered facial recognition cameras have been installed across the host cities.

As the opening match approaches, Pakistan stays hopeful for this moment in its cricketing history. Successfully hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 would not only restore its reputation as a safe venue for global-scale sports events but also serve as proof of its commitment to fostering unity through sports.

Tickets for the opening match and other fixtures can be purchased through the official ICC website. For fans unable to attend in person, live broadcasts and updates will be available on various platforms; details for other regions can be found on the ICC’s official broadcasters page.

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