How Can Pakistan Qualify for the Semi-Finals
Pakistan, the home-favorite, was defeated by 60 runs against New Zealand in the first & the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is something that Pakistani fans were actually scared about. Pakistani fans are well aware of how unexpected their team can become at times. So let’s know, How Can Pakistan Qualify for the Semi-Finals ?
The reason behind this defeat is Pakistan’s bad performance in all departments, be it bowling, fielding, or batting. Pakistani pace bowlers avoided bowling fuller-length deliveries with the new ball and didn’t really look to take more wickets in the beginning with the new ball, even though they had got three wickets in around the beginning, but that was not enough to stop New Zealand batters from scoring 320 runs in total.
Also, Mohammad Rizwan could not utilize Pakistani bowlers well, he had used spinners at that time of the innings when New Zealand was looking really comfortable and scored quickly against the spinners. Rizwan should have used a pace attack in a more appropriate way instead of looking to stay on the safer side by saving the pace bowler’s overs for the death overs.
Pakistani fielders had dropped some crucial catches, and misfielding was the core part of their today’s fielding performance. Even spinners also could have done well as they had bowled during the first innings where the wicket was dry and rough.
Impact of Losing the First Match
A defeat by New Zealand for Pakistan in the first match has put Pakistan at a disadvantage, making their remaining matches against India and Bangladesh very crucial. To keep semi-final hopes alive, Pakistan needs to win both of their remaining group matches against India and Bangladesh.
However, chances of qualification for the semi-finals could also depend on net run rate (NRR). NRR often plays a decisive role in group stage matches, so Pakistan must aim for convincing wins against India and Bangladesh to enhance their NRR which can help Pakistan to secure a semi-final spot on the basis of NRR too, especially if multiple teams from Group A end up with the same number of win and loss records towards the end of group stage matches.
Remaining Key Matches of Pakistan
- Pakistan vs. India (February 23 in Dubai): This match against India is a must-win game for Pakistan after losing the first match against New Zealand in Karachi. If Pakistan loses this match against India then this will most probable that Pakistan won’t be able to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
- Pakistan vs. Bangladesh (February 27 in Rawalpindi): If Pakistan wins against India, then defeating Bangladesh will become really essential for PAK to secure a semi-final spot.
If Pakistan qualifies as the second team from Group A for the semi-finals, they will be facing the top team from Group B in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. Group B includes strong contenders for this title of Champions Trophy, like Australia and England, who may end up as the top team of Group B at the end of stage matches. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, the skipper of the last ICC Champions Trophy who led Pakistan to win that title the last time, has identified Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Australia as potential semi-finalists in this tournament.
Final Notes:
So, the hope for qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy is still alive for Pakistan if they win both of their remaining matches and also improve their NRR in future matches. But a single defeat in these remaining matches will definitely make it clear that Pakistan won’t be able to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
