Pakistan and Bangladesh’s final appearance in the Champions Trophy 2025 ended without a match due to rain, symbolizing their ineffective campaigns. Both teams were already out of the quarter-final race after losing their initial games. Criticism of Pakistan intensified as they recorded the worst-ever performance by a defending champion, finishing last with just one point and a run rate of -1.087. Wasim Akram expressed disdain over the notion of playing for pride, emphasizing that both teams were merely going home after this tournament. Bangladesh also exited the tournament winless, leaving them and Pakistan to reflect on their disappointing performances.
Wasim Akram has criticized Pakistan.© AFP/Twitter
The final day for Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy 2025 proved to be a reflection of their lackluster campaigns – minimal impact. Their most recent match against each other was abandoned due to rain in Rawalpindi on Thursday, with not even a toss being conducted. Consequently, Pakistan is set to finish at the bottom of the Champions Trophy 2025 standings. They currently possess a run-rate of -1.087, the lowest among all eight competing teams. Pakistan and Bangladesh were already eliminated from the quarter-final contention before this match after suffering defeats in both of their opening games.
Prior to the match, Wasim Akram was inquired if it was a game played for pride.
“What pride? I told you not to ask me this question. You play for pride when you have qualification consideration. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh will head home after this match. Just play and then go home,” Akram responded during a talk show.
With only one point in three matches and a run-rate of -1.087, Pakistan concluded the tournament as the defending champions with the poorest performance in history. Mohammad Rizwan and his teammates surpassed Australia to achieve this unwanted distinction. In the 2013 edition, Australia, as defending champions, finished with a single point and a net run-rate of -0.680. In contrast, Pakistan finished the 2025 edition with one point, but their net run-rate was -1.087.
The Champions Trophy match between the home team Pakistan and Bangladesh on Thursday was canceled without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. Hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, Pakistan wrapped up their disappointing campaign without a single win. Likewise, Bangladesh will leave with no victories, taking home much to reflect on.
Both teams will share one point.
Pakistan has faced backlash for their forgettable performance in the tournament, which included a six-wicket loss to their traditional rivals, India, in Dubai.
This marks the second instance of a match being called off without any play in Rawalpindi, the first being the washout between South Africa and Australia earlier this week.
With IANS inputs
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