Pakistan finish Champions Trophy at home without a win, set unwanted record

Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan became the first team in 23 years to finish the tournament without a win despite being host nation. Mohammad Rizwan's men finished at the bottom of Group A behind Bangladesh.

In Short

• Pakistan finished at the bottom of Group A table with one point
• Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in Karachi and Dubai
• Their final league game in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to rain

Pakistan ended their Champions Trophy campaign at home on a disappointing note after their final Group A game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain in Rawalpindi on Thursday, February 27. The 2017 champions ended their campaign in Group A without a victory, setting an unwanted record: they became the first team in 23 years to get knocked out of the marquee 50-over tournament without a victory.

While Bangladesh were not part of the first-ever ICC Knockout event despite being hosts, Kenya lost in the pre-quarterfinal of the tournament in 2000, hosted by Nairobi. Ever since the tournament was rebranded as Champions Trophy in 2002, host teams have always managed to win at least one game. In 2006 and 2009, India and South Africa finished at the bottom of their groups, but managed to secure at least one victory each.

Champions Trophy: Full Coverage | Points Table

Pakistan, who were hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in nearly three decades, finished at the bottom of Group A behind Bangladesh with a point and a negative Net Run Rate (-1.087).

From Group A, India and New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals after beating Pakistan and Bangladesh. There was disappointment for fans, who had turned up to watch Pakistan playing a major event in Rawalpindi as a steady drizzle resulted in an early abandonment. The umpires and the ground officials waited only for two hours from the scheduled time before announcing the decision to abandon the game.

While there was no heavy rain, a steady drizzle led to the formation of puddles on the outfield. Only the square was covered, and the outfield appeared unfit for competitive cricket after taking a lot of water. The city had been receiving rainfall since Thursday morning. Despite the rain threat, the two teams decided to travel to the ground from the team hotel, but spent most of their time in their respective dressing rooms.

Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in their opening game of Champions Trophy in Karachi. They headed to Dubai to face India in a must-win contest. However, Mohammad Rizwan's men were handed a six-wicket hammering by their arch-rivals.

More to follow.