India defeated Pakistan in the league phase of 2025 Champions Trophy. Photo: AP
Pakistan crashed out of the 2025 Champions Trophy after losing to India in their second league stage match of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Men in Green kicked off their campaign with a 60-run defeat against New Zealand on February 19 and crashed out after losing to India in their second league game.
Many cricket experts and fans have lambasted the defending champions for their below-par performance. Amid Pakistan's criticism, their head coach Aaqib Javed has come to his team's defence.
Javed highlighted that the changes in captains, coaches, selectors and board chairmen have had an impact on Pakistan's performance.
"You want to take Pakistan cricket forward then you need to have consistency and continuity in policies in our cricket starting from the PCB Chairman to the players...Since last year see how many captains, coaches, selectors and board Chairman have changed. This is never an ideal situation for the team and it does affect their performances," he said.
Javed also addressed Pakistan's defeat against India and said the team had the ability to defeat India but pressure got to them.
"In the past we have always beaten India by taking wickets and applying pressure. This team had the ability to beat India but the pressure of the match got to them...It is never easy playing against India. It is always a high pressure game and it is never easy for new players...I can understand the hurt and frustration at our failure but we need to understand neither can you judge a player or team on basis one or two series. You need to be more consistent and patient," he added.
Pakistan have made few changes in their white-ball teams following their below-par performance in the ICC event. Shaheen Afridi has lost his place in the ODI team. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have been dropped from the T20I team. Rizwan took over as Pakistan's white-ball captain in October 2024.
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