Pakistan lost back-to-back games to New Zealand and India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, and rain forced the cancellation of their last Group A encounter against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan became the first host country in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy to leave the competition without winning a single match on Thursday, February 27, setting an unwelcome record. India crushed them by 6 wickets after chasing down the target of 242 runs in 42.3 overs in the second Group A match played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. The Mohammad Rizwan-led team was shocked to lose by 60 runs to New Zealand in the tournament opener played at National Stadium in Karachi on February 19.
On Thursday, February 27, the Pakistani team hoped to win to wrap up the tournament, but their strategy fell apart as weather forced the cancellation of their match against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. For the first time ever, a Champions Trophy host country did not win a single match during the competition. Despite hosting the Champions Trophy, Kenya did not win any games in the 2000 edition. However, the Kenyan side participated in the playoff stage, which pitted the six lower-ranked teams against one another before the main competition began. Following their co-hosting of the 1996 ODI World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan hosted its first major ICC competition in 2025 with the Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy title has only ever been won by one host country in the past, Sri Lanka in 2002.
As the reigning champions going into the Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s championship defense ended six days later due to consecutive losses.The Champions Trophy has only ever been successfully defended by one team. The Australian squad, led by Ricky Ponting, accomplished the feat when they defeated New Zealand in the 2009 edition final at SuperSport Park in Centurion to win their first Champions Trophy title in 2006 and successfully defend it three years later.With two victories in Group A thus far, India and New Zealand have secured their spots in the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinals with four points apiece. On Tuesday, March 2, India will play in the semifinals in Dubai, while on March 3, New Zealand will play in Lahore at Gaddafi Stadium. The last game will take place on Sunday, March 9.
