Pakistan officially become worst host nation in Champions Trophy history after PAK vs BAN washout
Published - 27 Feb 2025, 05:18 PM | Updated - 27 Feb 2025, 05:19 PM
The Pakistan national cricket team set an unwanted record following their washout against the Bangladesh national cricket team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, became the first host nation in Champions Trophy history to be eliminated without winning a single match.
The Men in Green started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand in the tournament opener on February 19 in Karachi. They continued to struggle in their next match on February 23 in Dubai, where India comfortably chased 242 in 42.3 overs to secure a six-wicket victory.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Match Abandoned Due to Persistent Rain in Rawalpindi
The hosts wanted to end their Champions Trophy campaign with a consolation victory in Rawalpindi on Thursday, February 27. However, their match against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain, and both teams shared a point each. They finished the tournament without securing a single victory.
Pakistan became the first host nation in ICC Champions Trophy history to fail to win a single match in the tournament. Kenya also went winless as hosts in the 2000 edition, but they had only competed in the playoff stage, which featured six lower-ranked teams before the main tournament began.
On the other hand, Bangladesh also suffered defeats in their first two group-stage matches. They lost their tournament opener against India by six wickets. They lost by five wickets in a must-win match against New Zealand.
Performance of Host Nation in Champions Trophy
Pakistan hosted their first major ICC tournament since co-hosting the 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. It is worth mentioning that Sri Lanka are the only host nation to have won the Champions Trophy, sharing the 2002 title with India after the final was washed out.
| Year | Host Nation | Final Result Of Host Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bangladesh | Not Qualified |
| 2000 | Kenya | Playoff Stage (0/1) |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | Champions (Shared with India) |
| 2004 | England | Finalists |
| 2006 | India | Group Stage (1/3) |
| 2009 | South Africa | Group Stage (1/3) |
| 2013 | England & Wales | Finalists |
| 2017 | England & Wales | Semifinalists |
| 2025 | Pakistan & UAE | Group Stage (0/3) |
Pakistan's Champions Trophy Title Defense Ended Within Six Days
The Mohammad Rizwan-led team entered the 2025 Champions Trophy as defending champions, but their title defense ended within six days following back-to-back defeats.
Australia are the only team to have successfully defended a Champions Trophy title. The Ricky Ponting-led team won their first title in 2006 and retained it in 2009 by defeating New Zealand in the final at SuperSport Park, Centurion. India and Australia are the only teams to have won the Champions Trophy twice.
Talking about the ongoing edition, India and New Zealand have secured their spots in the semifinals from Group A. They won both of their matches to secure four points each.
India will play their semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday, March 2, while New Zealand will compete at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 3. The final is scheduled for Sunday, March 9.
Also read: Babar Azam's spot in jeopardy as rift between Mohammad Rizwan and Aaqib Javed emerges
