Pakistan suffered back-to-back defeats in their Champions Trophy 2025 Group A fixtures against New Zealand and India. As a result, the Men in Green put themselves in a tough spot to make it to the semis.

New Zealand’s five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was the final nail in the coffin as Pakistan were officially knocked out of the semi-final race.

This outcome has sparked strong reactions from the Pakistan cricket fraternity, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the team.

On Tuesday (March 4), Pakistan’s interim head coach Aaqib Javed reflected on the team’s poor showing in the ICC tournament, saying that it was due to the failure of the fast bowlers to meet expectations.

“The two places you get the most reverse swing are Karachi and Dubai and unfortunately this was something our bowlers couldn’t do. I have spoken to Haris Rauf and Shaheen and asked them to go back to work on their skillset," Aaqib told reporters.

He also attributed Pakistan’s losses to India to insufficient bowling pressure, claiming that they are getting outclassed by the arch-rivals because the bowlers are not doing enough.

“In the past we have always beaten India by taking wickets and applying pressure. This team had the ability to beat India but the pressure of the match got to them.

“It is never easy playing against India. It is always a high-pressure game and it is never easy for new players."

Aaqib felt that the defeats to India in last year’s T20 World Cup and the ongoing Champions Trophy have only intensified the criticism on the team and players.

“I can understand the hurt and frustration at our failure but we need to understand neither can you judge a player or team on basis one or two series. You need to be more consistent and patient," he said.

He mentioned that Pakistan had done well to win ODI series in Australia and South Africa before the Champions Trophy.

“But yes our selections didn’t come through as we thought they would and we must accept New Zealand and India were more balanced and confident."

Aaqib Javed also commented on the decision to drop Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, stating that they want to try out a new approach and develop a fearless mindset.

“If you look at other teams most of them have 70 percent separate T20 squads and we are also now working on that before the Asia Cup and World T20 Cup. We need our players to play fearless cricket."

(With PTI Inputs)