He suggested that new talent should be brought into the team, even if it means replacing big names. Akram emphasized that the team should be supported, even if they lose, and start preparing for the 2026 World Cup. He said the current players have had enough opportunities.
Akram pointed out that in the last five One Day matches, Pakistan’s bowlers have taken only 24 wickets. He advised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to return and call the Selection Committee, captain, and coach to ask them about the players’ selection.
The former captain also said that the failure in selection is the captain’s responsibility, and it is disappointing that the captain has not understood which match-winning players are needed.
Despite losing two matches in a row, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy are still alive.
In a high-voltage match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets. Virat Kohli scored his first-ever century in the Champions Trophy, helping India chase down the target of 242 runs in 42.3 overs. After this loss, Pakistan’s team sits at the bottom of Group A with zero points from two matches.
Although Pakistan has lost both of its matches so far, it is not yet out of the race for the semi-finals. If Bangladesh beat New Zealand on Monday in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals will stay alive. After that, Pakistan must win its match against Bangladesh on Thursday, February 27, in Rawalpindi. India must also defeat New Zealand on Sunday, March 2, in Dubai.
In this scenario, India will be at the top of Group A with 6 points, while Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand will each have 2 points. If all three teams have equal points, the team with the better net run rate will qualify for the semi-finals. This gives Pakistan a chance to qualify.
However, if New Zealand defeat Bangladesh on Monday, both Pakistan and Bangladesh will be eliminated from the Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, if the New Zealand-Bangladesh match ends without a result, Pakistan’s journey will also come to an end.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan is defending champion in this tournament. In the history of the Champions Trophy, only one team has successfully defended its title—Australia, which won the tournament in 2006 under Ricky Ponting s captaincy and then again in 2009.
