On February 27, 2025, Pakistan’s hopes of salvaging some pride in the ICC Champions Trophy came to a soggy end as their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to relentless rain in Rawalpindi. The washout ensured that the defending champions and tournament hosts exited the competition without registering a single victory, a disappointing outcome for a team that had entered the event with high expectations.
The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, hosted primarily by Pakistan with some matches in the UAE, had been a much-anticipated return for the tournament after an eight-year hiatus. Pakistan, who lifted the trophy in 2017, were eager to showcase their cricketing prowess on home soil for the first time since co-hosting the 1996 ODI World Cup. However, their campaign unraveled quickly, and the rain-soaked conclusion against Bangladesh only cemented their fate.
A Dismal Tournament Run
Pakistan’s journey in the tournament began with a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi. Chasing 321, Pakistan faltered at 260, with their batting lineup unable to cope with the Kiwi attack. The second blow came on February 23 in Dubai, where arch-rivals India, powered by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century, chased down 242 with ease, winning by six wickets. Already on the brink of elimination, Pakistan needed a win against Bangladesh and favorable results elsewhere to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. Persistent rain in Rawalpindi prevented even a single ball from being bowled, and the match was called off in the afternoon. Both teams were awarded one point, but for Pakistan, it was a hollow consolation. With zero wins and just one point from the washout, the hosts finished at the bottom of Group A, a stark contrast to their triumphant run in 2017.
Bangladesh Shares the Disappointment
Bangladesh, too, ended their campaign without a victory, having lost to India and New Zealand earlier in the tournament. The rain-affected match was a dead rubber for both sides, as neither had a chance of progressing to the semifinals. However, for Pakistan, the sting of failure was magnified by their status as hosts and defending champions.
The weather forecast had hinted at trouble, with cloudy skies and intermittent showers expected throughout the day. Temperatures hovered around 18°C, but the damp conditions made play impossible, leaving fans and players alike frustrated. For a team hosting an ICC event after nearly three decades, the inability to finish their campaign with a win—or even a completed match—added to the sense of missed opportunity.
A Campaign to Forget
Pakistan’s struggles in the tournament were a combination of on-field shortcomings and bad luck. Their batting, led by captain Mohammad Rizwan and star batter Babar Azam, failed to fire consistently, while the bowling unit couldn’t contain opposition lineups when it mattered most. The loss to New Zealand exposed their chasing frailties, and the defeat to India highlighted their inability to capitalize on key moments against top-tier teams. The rainout against Bangladesh, while not a loss on the scoreboard, symbolized a campaign that never got off the ground.
Social media posts on X reflected the disappointment and disbelief among fans and analysts. One user remarked, “Disaster for the hosts! Pakistan end their Champions Trophy campaign without a single win—their only point coming due to rain!” Another quipped, “Rain saves Pakistan from another defeat, but not from finishing dead last in Group A. Maybe the rain had mercy on the fans!”