Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 have taken a major hit after suffering their second consecutive loss in the tournament. The Green Shirts faced a disappointing six-wicket defeat against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Qualification Scenario for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Finals
Despite back-to-back defeats, Pakistan is still mathematically in contention for a semi-final spot. However, their qualification now depends on the outcomes of the remaining Group A matches.
Currently positioned at the bottom of Group A, Pakistan needs a series of favorable results to stay in the competition:
- Bangladesh must defeat New Zealand on February 24.
- Pakistan must secure a comprehensive win against Bangladesh on February 27 to improve their net run rate (NRR).
- India must defeat New Zealand to keep the Black Caps at two points with a lower NRR than Pakistan.
If these conditions are met, Pakistan and New Zealand will both have two points, and the team with a superior NRR will progress to the semi-finals alongside India.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A Points Table
| Teams | Matches | Wins | Losses | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.647 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.408 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -1.087 |
India Dominates Pakistan with Kohli’s Masterclass
A sensational century by Virat Kohli (100* runs off 95 balls)** led India to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan. Chasing a modest target of 242, India reached the total in just 42.3 overs with six wickets in hand. Shreyas Iyer contributed 56 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, taking three wickets.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue
Pakistan struggled to put up a competitive total, managing 241 runs in 50 overs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with a fighting 50, while captain Mohammad Rizwan and Khushdil Shah added 46 and 38 runs, respectively. However, the lack of acceleration in the middle overs proved costly.
Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowling attack failed to defend the total, with Shaheen Afridi conceding 74 runs in 8 overs for 2 wickets. Spinner Abrar Ahmed impressed with figures of 1/28 in 10 overs, while India’s Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya dismantled Pakistan’s batting order with crucial wickets.
Can Pakistan Still Qualify for Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Finals?
With two losses and an NRR of -1.087, Pakistan’s road to the semi-finals is steep. The team must not only win their remaining game against Bangladesh but also rely on New Zealand losing both their matches with a lower NRR.
The upcoming Group A matches will determine Pakistan’s fate in the tournament. Will fortune favor the Green Shirts, or will they face an early exit? Stay tuned for further updates on the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
