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With troubles on & off field, Pakistan faces arch-rival India in ‘do-or-die’ Champions Trophy match

Pakistan played New Zealand in its first match of the tournament and lost by 60 runs, failing to start the campaign on a high note.

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New Delhi: Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign is off to a rocky start. After losing to New Zealand in the opener, Pakistan’s cricket team faces an uphill battle. The defeat has brought more than disappointment, with injuries and match fines adding to concerns.

According to reports, Pakistan’s key batsman, Babar Azam, was ‘missing’ from the final practice session before the much-anticipated clash with India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Off-field problems with Pakistan as the host of the Champions Trophy, which is underway in a hybrid model, have been making headlines, but now on-field cricket concerns have surfaced.

India had refused to play the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, citing security concerns, leading to the hybrid model, where some matches will take place in Dubai.

It all started when Pakistan played New Zealand in the first match, losing by 60 runs and failing to start the campaign on a high note.

Not only did Pakistan lose the game, but the team also suffered a significant blow with the loss of key batter Fakhar Zaman—ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury while fielding in the first innings of the match with New Zealand.

Imam-ul-Haq—earlier dropped from the team due to his poor form—replaced the 34-year-old left-handed batsman Zaman. Imam last played an ODI for Pakistan on 27 October 2023 in Chennai.

“Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury,” the ICC said in its media release.

Imam was part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) 2023-24 central contract in the ‘B’ category. However, fitness concerns led to his omission from all categories of the 2024-25 central contract before his recall to the squad for the Champions Trophy. His recent selection is under scrutiny due to a lack of runs—adding to Pakistan’s concerns.

On Sunday, Imam made his way into the playing 11 for the India-Pakistan clash, but his innings was short-lived. He scored 10 runs off 26 balls before being run out due to a miscommunication, with India’s Axar Patel bringing about the direct hit.


Also read: India vs Pakistan in Champions Trophy history: High-octane clashes, controversies & standout players


Not everything is ‘fine’

Pakistan has also been fined five percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The ICC confirmed the penalty, with an official statement: “Pakistan has been fined 5 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday.”

The sanction was imposed by Andy Pycroft, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. According to ICC regulations, teams are fined five percent of their match fee per over if they fail to complete their quota within the allotted time.

Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, accepted the penalty, avoiding a formal hearing. On-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson, and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charges.

According to the umpires, Rizwan’s team was one over behind the required rate, even after accounting for the time allowances.

Babar is‘ missing’ but ‘win at any cost’

With star Pakistan batter Babar Azam absent from Pakistan’s training session ahead of the clash against India, speculations about his availability for the match are rife. According to reports, Azam was the only player missing from Saturday’s practice session—attended by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.

Interim head coach Aqib Javed downplayed concerns, saying Azam had chosen to rest. However, Azam’s recent form has been under scrutiny, particularly after his slow 94-ball 64 runs during Pakistan’s 60-run loss to New Zealand.

PCB chief Naqvi has urged the team to win against India “at any cost”—adding to the pressure on Azam and the team. With Pakistan’s tournament hopes hanging by a thread, Azam’s availability and form will be crucial in determining the match outcome.

Another fact compounds the issues—the game against India is a do-or-die encounter for Pakistan. Given the tournament’s compact schedule and limited opportunities, the India-Pakistan match is a must-win for Pakistan to stay in contention.

(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)


Also read: India vs Pakistan: Who has the upper hand in Champions Trophy mega clash


 

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