Pakistan's crushing defeat in Champions Trophy 2025, big players may withdraw from New Zealand tour!
@ZeeNews
@ZeeNewsPakistan team's performance in Champions Trophy 2025 was very poor, due to which it was eliminated from the group stage itself. Now PCB is planning to make big changes in the team. Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah may withdraw from the New Zealand tour. Also, the future of captain Mohammad Rizwan is also in danger. Big decisions can be taken by PCB soon.
The Champions Trophy 2025 was no less than a nightmare for the Pakistan cricket team. Despite being the host, Pakistan's performance under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan was extremely disappointing, causing the team to be eliminated from the group stage itself. Due to this poor performance, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now in the mood to take strict action against the senior players.
Pakistan's shameful journey in the Champions Trophy
Pakistan hosted an ICC tournament after 29 years, but the team failed to win a single match. The campaign started with a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in Karachi, followed by a six-wicket defeat to arch-rival India in Dubai. At the same time, the match against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain, ending Pakistan's journey in the tournament without any win.
Legendary players may withdraw from New Zealand tour
According to sources, after this poor performance, some senior players of Pakistan are considering separating themselves from the upcoming New Zealand tour. From March 16 to April 5, Pakistan has to play five T20 and three ODIs in New Zealand. It is being told that Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are planning to withdraw their names from this tour.
A PCB official said, "These players understand that the selectors will now want to make changes in the team and new faces can be given a chance. In such a situation, they are considering keeping themselves unavailable and are discussing this decision with their representatives."
Captain Mohammad Rizwan's future in limbo
There is also uncertainty about the future of team captain Mohammad Rizwan. According to sources, the selectors may recommend changes in the team ahead of the Asia Cup later this year and the proposed T20 World Cup in India-Sri Lanka next year.
Aaqib Javed likely to get a new role in PCB
Meanwhile, the PCB is looking for a new role for Pakistan's interim head coach Aaqib Javed. According to sources, Javed had expressed his desire to work at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore last year and now the board is considering giving him the responsibility of a senior position there. Aaqib was appointed interim coach after the resignation of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, but now a big decision can be taken about his role after March 9.
These possible strategies of PCB can lead to big changes in Pakistan cricket, but it is certain that the impact of the team's disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy will remain for a long time.
0 Comments