Pakistan’s journey in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been challenging, with defeats against New Zealand and India. These losses have significantly diminished their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.
Current Standings in Group A:
New Zealand: 2 matches, 2 wins, 4 points
India: 2 matches, 2 wins, 4 points
Bangladesh: 2 matches, 0 wins, 0 points
Pakistan: 2 matches, 0 wins, 0 points
Scenarios for Pakistan’s Qualification:
- Pakistan Defeats Bangladesh:
Pakistan must win their final group match against Bangladesh to earn 2 points.
- New Zealand Loses Remaining Matches:
New Zealand would need to lose both of their upcoming matches against Bangladesh and India, keeping them at 2 points.
- Net Run Rate (NRR) Consideration:
In the event of a tie on points, NRR will determine the second semi-finalist from Group A. Pakistan would need a substantial victory over Bangladesh to improve their NRR sufficiently.
Challenges:
Dependence on Other Results:
Pakistan’s fate is not solely in their hands; it relies heavily on the outcomes of other matches, particularly New Zealand’s performances.
Net Run Rate Deficit:
Overcoming a negative NRR requires a significant margin of victory, adding to the complexity of their qualification prospects.
In summary, while mathematically possible, Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. They must not only secure a decisive win against Bangladesh but also hope for favorable outcomes in other group matches.