PPakistan cricket’s journey over the past one year has been a story of resilience, strategy and bold decision-making. From the gloom of crushing defeats to the hope of recovery, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has laid the foundation for continued success, especially as the host country for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The turning point came during England’s last tour of Pakistan, where the home side suffered a humiliating innings defeat in the first Test at Multan. The setback was a wake-up call, prompting the PCB to reassess its approach. Under the new selection committee and interim head coach Aqib Javed, Pakistan adopted a spin-heavy strategy, taking advantage of the home conditions for the remaining two Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi.
The recalibration paid off, with Pakistan winning a historic series – their first at home since February 2021. Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Kamran Ghulam, and Saud Shakeel stepped up, showing the depth of talent in the squad.
Thus, Pakistan’s selectors and team management adopted a positive approach and selected a balanced side for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.
The squads of these tours included emerging faces who could prove to be good backups to the leading and elite players in the future as well.
Pakistan’s squad led by Mohammad Rizwan for the said tours included six uncapped players – Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Saeem Ayub.
The selectors also included the uncapped pair of Jahandad Khan and Agha Salman in the T20I squad.
In the Australian ODIs, Pakistan bounced back after losing the first match and won the remaining two ODIs to win the series 2-1 on Australian soil. The series win boosted the confidence of the Pakistani team for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
In the Australian T20 series, the Pakistani youngsters competed but in the end it was the host team that prevailed.
Pakistan did not get off to a good start in the ODI series against Zimbabwe, losing the rain-affected first match by 80 runs.
Agha Salman and young spinner Faisal Akram did well with the ball as Zimbabwe managed to post 205 and reduced the visitors to 60/6 when rain eventually stopped play. The rain-affected match was ultimately decided by DLS method in which the hosts emerged victorious.
Pakistan won the second ODI match by 10 wickets and leveled the ODI series. Opener Saeem Ayub justified the selectors’ faith with an unbeaten century after spinners Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman Ali restricted the visitors to just 145.
In the third and final ODI, things went in Pakistan’s favor once again. This time it was Kamran Ghulam who was improving rapidly, turning things in Pakistan’s favor with a half-century from Abdullah Shafiq in Pakistan’s innings of 303/6 in 50 overs. Then the Pakistani bowlers never let the hosts settle, winning by 99 runs.
Thus, Pakistan won the ODI series of Zimbabwe 2-1.
After gaining this confidence, the Pakistani team can, no doubt, perform well in the upcoming challenges including the Champions Trophy 2025.
Building momentum for the Champions Trophy
The victory against England not only boosted morale but also set the stage for the upcoming challenges, including tours to Australia and Zimbabwe. These tours, though not grabbing the headlines, served as important stages of preparation for the Champions Trophy.
During the Zimbabwe ODI series, Pakistan showed a renewed sense of purpose and unity. Kamran Ghulam’s match-winning century in the final game was a testament to the team’s emerging outlook.
The bowlers also played an important role, finishing off Zimbabwe’s batting line-up with clinical accuracy. Senior government officials and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi praised the team’s collective effort, stressing the importance of playing with passion and harmony.
The political context of the Champions Trophy
While Pakistan’s on-field preparations continue, the Champions Trophy faces uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions. India’s reluctance to send its team to Pakistan has raised questions over the format of the tournament. Proposals such as a hybrid model with India’s matches at a neutral venue such as the UAE have been mooted. However, the PCB has strongly opposed this arrangement, asserting its right to host all matches in Pakistan.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has assured fans and stakeholders that Pakistan will not compromise on its cricket interests. The board has also rejected financial compensation in exchange for weak hosting rights, underscoring its commitment to showcase the country’s cricketing infrastructure and spirit.
A blueprint for success
Consistency is key for Pakistan to progress in the Champions Trophy and beyond. Away tours like Australia and Zimbabwe highlighted the need for a balanced squad that can adapt to different situations. Seamers, spinners and batsmen who can anchor the innings should all play their part.
From nurturing young talent to strengthening team dynamics, PCB’s proactive approach reflects forward thinking. As the countdown to the Champions Trophy begins, Pakistan cricket looks set to regain its place among the world’s elite.