Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign has ended in disappointment, with the hosts crashing out in the group stage. Following another early ICC tournament exit, the team and management are facing heavy criticism. Their next challenge is a white-ball tour of New Zealand, but according to a Cricket Pakistan report, some key players might opt out.
Senior Players Expected to Miss New Zealand Tour
The report suggests that stars like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf could be left out due to their underwhelming performances in the Champions Trophy. To avoid being officially dropped, these players are reportedly considering skipping the tour voluntarily.
Pakistan played two matches in the tournament—against New Zealand and India—and lost both convincingly. The team’s much-hyped pace trio struggled to make an impact, and while Babar Azam did score a half-century after being promoted to the top order, his slow strike rate did not meet the game’s demands.
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Pakistan to Test Young Talent in New Zealand
With an eye on rebuilding for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the 50-over World Cup 2027, Pakistan is expected to give younger players a chance during the New Zealand series. The tour consists of five T20Is and three ODIs, beginning on March 16 in Christchurch and concluding with an ODI in Mount Maunganui on April 5.
