Schedule of Champions Trophy 2025

Recent Performance is a Moral Booster
 

Pakistan's recent performance against Australia and South Africa is a morale booster for the Pakistan ODI team. Since the 2023 Asia Cup, the entire Pakistan cricket team has been a disaster itself, where even winning matches were converted into losing matches. Yes, it can be said that it was the issue of captaincy, but also it was the issue of Pakistan. Big player ego was one of the major reasons for not delivering the performance at that time, so even the young player did not perform for Pakistan when it was required at that time. 

Therefore, recent victories of the Pakistan ODI team are clicking at the right time, where the Champions Trophy is right around the corner.
 

Pakistan Approach is Changed in Recent Games
 

Since Rizwan took charge of ODI captaincy, the style of Pakistan playing against opposition teams has changed, and now it is more like a balanced and flexible approach, not like a fixed plan, which could not change even if the plan is working and situations changes. Right now, Pakistan is playing according to the situation that is required, and if it is required for an aggressive approach, the team plays aggressively, and if it’s required for a defensive approach, then the team plays defensively. 

Therefore, it is good news for Pakistan fans all around the world that right before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan has adopted a good change and a much need change in their style of play. 

Moreover, it can help the Pakistani player to adopt the modern style of play, which is required to win against even a mediocre team, let alone a big team like Australia, India, England, New Zealand, or India in the Champions Trophy event, which will be held in Pakistan.
 

Changes Required for Pakistan ODI Team in Champions Trophy.
 

Let’s be realistic, and we should not get carried away with the recent performance, which has some negative aspects that seriously need to be discussed and learned from pre-Asia Cup mistakes. First of all, Pakistan needs a batting all-rounder, which is the backbone for any big team in ODI due to its dominating performance at 7 to 8 down when it is required. 

Pakistan is totally relying on Shaheen Shah and Naseem to do all the rounder jobs, which they cannot, as simple as it can be put, as they are only hit or miss. We really need guys like Aamir Jamal, who is purely a batting all-rounder. 

Second Change is that Pakistan needs to drop Harris Rauf, as he never performs in big events, especially any kind of event or match on Pakistan-type pitches, so therefore, it is better to drop him for good and invest in a new talent. 

The third change Pakistan requires is that they need to drop Abdullah Shafiq and bring back Fakhar Zaman. Just think, Sami Ayub with Fakhar Zaman is the package that can destroy any kind of team on its day. Coming to Fakhar's recent performance, it cannot be worse than Abdullah Shaifq's, who has had 3 ducks in a row, cannot be worse than this.

Therefore, these changes can make Pakistan the 2025 Champion Trophy winner, just like in 2017.

Schedule of Champion Trophy 2025

Champions Trophy 2025 groups

 Schedule of Champion Trophy 2025