Pakistan’s uninspiring performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy has been widely scrutinized, and the blame has eventually landed on the team’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan. As the dust settles, internal tensions within Pakistan cricket have surfaced, particularly following alleged comments made by Rizwan that reveal deeper issues within the team.
Reports from renowned journalist Saleem Khaliq suggest that after Pakistan’s loss to India—one that ended their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals—Mohammad Rizwan addressed his teammates in a huddle, urging them not to be disheartened by the defeat. “Losing and winning is part of the game,” Rizwan is said to have told the players, adding that the impact of the losses would fall more heavily on the coaches and selectors rather than the players themselves. This remark, reportedly shared by one of the players with the selectors, caused a stir and led to controversy within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The higher-ups, however, were not pleased with Mohammad Rizwan’s comment, which seemed to shift the blame from the team’s collective performance onto the coaching staff and selectors.
Despite the growing tension, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi chose not to make any immediate changes, opting to keep the selectors and coaching staff in place for the time being. However, the internal dispute is far from resolved, leaving a simmering dissatisfaction among key figures in the management.
As a consequence of his alleged remarks, Mohammad Rizwan has paid the price, being replaced by Salman Ali Agha as the team’s T20 captain.
However, Mohammad Rizwan’s comments are not the only concern plaguing Pakistan cricket. Sources within the PCB have also raised concerns about Shaheen Shah Afridi’s commitment during Champions Trophy matches. Allegedly, the pacer was instructed to bowl yorkers but deviated from the plan, choosing instead to follow his own tactics. This apparent disobedience, coupled with the belief that both Shaheen and Haris Rauf are not suited for One-Day cricket, led to their exclusion from the format ahead of the New Zealand series.
The internal rifts have further fueled the unrest, creating an atmosphere of instability within Pakistan cricket. While Mohammad Rizwan’s comments may have been intended to motivate his team, they have inadvertently highlighted the deep-rooted issues within Pakistan cricket—blame-shifting, lack of accountability, and backstabbing.
As Mohammad Rizwan and Pakistan cricket attempt to move forward, the shadow of a disastrous Champions Trophy will loom large, with the public questioning the motivations and direction of the team moving forward.