New Delhi: Angry, embarrassed, and insulted—that’s how most Pakistani fans are feeling right now. The final of the ICC Champions Trophy was shifted out of the host country after India beat Australia in the semifinal on Tuesday. But amid all the bitterness, they still have Virat Kohli in their hearts. They hope after the India batter retires, he will express his disappointment at having never played in Pakistan.
“Earlier, Pakistan was knocked out of the Champions Trophy and now the Champions Trophy has been knocked out of Pakistan,” a disgruntled fan Ahmad wrote on X.
Pakistan was eliminated early in the prestigious tournament that is being hosted after a gap of eight years. It’s also the biggest ICC tournament being hosted by Pakistan after the 1996 50-over World Cup.
“This whole Champions Trophy saga is a highly embarrassing situation for Pakistan. Lost all matches, lost the % hosting rights, and now lost the final as well. Extremely shameful for PCB. This sport has been bringing shame and nothing else for the past 3 years,” wrote X user Sana.
“Champions Trophy on hybrid model. The Indian Cricket Team did not visit Pakistan. Pakistan was eliminated in the group stage. India played all matches in Dubai. SF/Final of Champions Trophy outside Pakistan. 2025’s Champions Trophy has to be one of the nightmares for Pakistan Cricket!” GeoNews journalist Arfa Feroz Zake wrote on X.
Some fans took aim at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing it of lacking the courage to challenge the hybrid model.
“Nightmare ?? PCB is coward !! They don’t have courage to Reject Hybrid Model !! And Its advantage for India but its same for Pakistan !! Pakistan also play many matches in Dubai & Karachi !!” X user @sportstalk angrily wrote.
The two Asian champions have seen a reversal of sorts in their fate over the last two decades. While India has risen as a cricketing giant, Pakistan has struggled to produce big wins and match the talent pool of its previous generation of players.
“The Champions Trophy appeared to be heavily centered around India, leaving me wondering what benefits Pakistan derived from the event. To add insult to injury, the final will now take place in Dubai,” another user said.
An old fan reminisced about the 1996 World Cup that was co-hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, which the island nation went on to win.
“Suspect that as time moves on, Pakistan will erase from collective consciousness that they hosted this Champions Trophy. ’96 will continue to be the reference point,” X user Danny wrote.
There were debates over that as well. Some were quick to point out how even the ‘96 final was a ‘disaster’. The final was played at the Gaddafi Stadium where matches were washed out in the ongoing tournament due to poor drainage systems.
“The trophy ceremony was overshadowed by the typical ill-management and feudalistic mindset of the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party). We watched it appalled as swarms of people stormed the stage and it looked like an event arranged for Benazir Bhutto instead of the Sri Lankan team. Ranatunga could barely lift the cup for the cameras as he got jostled and pushed by the gathered crowd in near darkness (pre-proper floodlights days),” former editor Sabahat Zakariya wrote on X.
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Good hosts, PR win for Pakistan
Despite the heartbreak and the Pakistan team’s poor performance, there was a silver lining—Pakistani fans are convinced that they were good hosts.
“Regardless of the team’s performance, Pakistan successfully hosted a brilliant ICC Champions Trophy, paving the way for more international events in the future. Notably, no team complained anything during their stay in Pakistan,” said journalist Imran Siddique.
Zakariya agreed.
“It’s unfortunate that Lahore won’t be holding the final, but all said and done this CT has been a PR win for Pakistan overall. So many non-Indian cricket fans are waking up to the absurdity of BCCI’s hegemony and many others including Indians able to observe Pakistan in a positive light,” she said on X.
Some were hopeful— for Indian cricketers.
“Far into the future, when he is no longer bound by the BCCI and can speak honestly…i think Virat Kohli will express some lament at not ever having played in Pakistan – a place which holds in high regard, a place with cultural kinship…a place he would have excelled,” X user Fahad wrote.