Pakistan cricket has faced many ups and downs in recent years. The team struggled in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup in the USA, failing to deliver consistent performances. However, there were signs of improvement during their tours of Australia and South Africa, where they played competitive cricket.
Struggles in Test Cricket
Pakistan’s Test team also faced challenges, especially after defeats against Bangladesh and England. To counter this, they started using spin-friendly pitches, which brought some success. Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan played key roles in wins against England and the West Indies. However, the team’s batting weaknesses were exposed when they suffered an unexpected defeat to West Indies, dropping to the bottom of the ICC Test Championship points table.
Road to the Champions Trophy
With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching, which Pakistan is set to host, the team is now focusing on preparations. The ongoing Tri-Nation Series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa is seen as an important opportunity to fine-tune the squad before the big tournament.
Pakistan’s campaign started on a rough note, as they were outclassed by New Zealand in their opening match at the Gaddafi Stadium. Glenn Phillips’ explosive century helped New Zealand post a big total. The most costly moment for Pakistan came in the final five overs, where they conceded 84 runs, struggling without Haris Rauf, who was injured.
Pakistan’s Fightback
Despite the early setback, Pakistan bounced back with a historic chase against South Africa in Karachi. Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman played outstanding knocks, both scoring centuries as Pakistan successfully chased 353 runs, their highest-ever run chase in ODIs.
This victory also set a record for the highest successful ODI chase against South Africa, breaking Australia’s 327-run chase in 2002. It also marked Pakistan’s 12th successful 300+ run chase, with half of those coming since 2022—showing a more attacking approach in their batting.
Key Adjustments for the Champions Trophy
With the Champions Trophy approaching, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must ensure they make the right selections and tactical decisions. The Tri-Nation Series is a great chance to test different strategies and combinations.
There has been some debate over squad selection, but head coach Aqib Javed has backed the chosen players. The team suffered a setback when in-form opener Saim Ayub was ruled out due to injury. However, Fakhar Zaman, his experienced replacement, brings power and stability to the top order.
With all key players available, Pakistan has a strong chance to defend their title. However, they must be careful with team selection and strategy, as even a small mistake can be costly in a high-pressure tournament like the Champions Trophy. This is the time for Pakistan to learn from past mistakes, refine their game plans, and focus on their strengths as they prepare to compete on home soil.
