Pakistan’s disappointing run in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is over, but that has not stopped interim head coach Aqib Javed from identifying the fast bowlers’ inability to deliver as a key factor in their downfall.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, Aqib Javed lamented the lack of impact from his pace attack, particularly in the crucial clash against India, where Pakistan’s pacers failed to mount the kind of pressure that had historically been their strength.
“The two places you get the most reverse swing are Karachi and Dubai, and unfortunately, our bowlers couldn’t capitalize on that,” he admitted. Aqib Javed specifically pointed to Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, stating that both needed to refine their skill sets to meet the demands of high-pressure encounters.
“I have spoken to Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, and I’ve asked them to go back and work on their skill sets,” he revealed.
Pakistan’s failure to execute their bowling plans was particularly evident in their loss to arch-rivals India, a team they had previously troubled by taking early wickets and maintaining relentless pressure. Aaqib Javed acknowledged this contrast, expressing disappointment that the current side had not been able to replicate past successes.
“In the past, we’ve always beaten India by taking wickets and applying pressure,” he said. “This team had the ability to beat India, but the pressure of the match got to them.”
While the entire team underperformed in the Champions Trophy, the pace attack was particularly non-threatening. The once-vaunted trio of Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi each finished their campaigns with just two wickets apiece. Ironically, Abrar Ahmed also finished with just two scalps, further highlighting Pakistan’s bowling issues.
Pakistan Bowlers’ Stats in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
| Player | Matches | Overs | Strike Rate | Wickets | Runs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrar Ahmed | 2 | 20 | 60.00 | 2 | 75 | 3.75 |
| Naseem Shah | 2 | 18 | 54.00 | 2 | 100 | 5.55 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 2 | 18 | 54.00 | 2 | 142 | 7.88 |
| Haris Rauf | 2 | 17 | 51.00 | 2 | 135 | 7.94 |
| Khushdil Shah | 2 | 14.3 | 87.00 | 1 | 167 | 5.72 |
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign ended without a single victory, making them the first team eliminated from the tournament despite being the hosts. Losses to New Zealand and India sealed their fate, while their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest sports news, match updates, and player stories wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
