Australia-South Africa Champions Trophy combat abandoned due to rain

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Following the cracker of a game between Australia and England a couple of nights ago, the cricket community eagerly awaited the fixture between Australia and South Africa in the Champions Trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, on February 25 but not a single ball was possible due to rain before it was eventually abandoned. 

As a matter of fact, the match was washed out without even a toss and it was called off at 5.10 pm local time, three hours and ten minutes after the scheduled start of play at 2 pm and two hours and 22 minutes before the cut-off time for a 20-overs-a-side game, 7.32 pm local time. 

It was the first match of the ongoing Champions Trophy to be washed out as the persistent rains did not make it possible for the ground to be ready for action.

Both the teams, after having won their opening games, were looking forward to registering another victory in this crucial encounter to confirm their passage into the semifinals. 

But they had to share points with their destiny in the tournament dependent of the results of their last league outings. The washout also meant the game between Afghanistan and England, to be played on February 26, became a knockout, with the losing team to go out of reckoning. 

As the toss did not take place in the match between Australia and South Africa, neither team declared its playing eleven. There was lots of speculation about the availability of master blaster Heinrich Klaasen, who was ruled out of the opening match against Afghanistan with an elbow injury. 

Australia and South Africa, who have been fierce rivals in international cricket over the years, however, have not met each other in the ODI since the 2023 World Cup semifinal in 2023 which was won by former, the eventual champions. 

In nine matches during ICC tournaments, Australia have won four, South Africa three and there was the famous tie in the 1999 World Cup semifinal in which Lance Klusener almost took the South Africans over the line sensationally only to see his partner, lastman Allan Donald, getting run out in the most dramatic of fashions. Australia went on to win the tournament by overpowering Pakistan in the final at Lord’s.

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Ravindra’s ton, Bracewell 4-for put New Zealand, India in Champions Trophy semifinals

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Top-order batsman Rachin Ravindra banged a brilliant century and off-spinning all-rounder Micheal Bracewell captured top four wickets as New Zealand, along with India, stormed into the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 when they thrashed Bangladesh by five wickets at Pindi Stadium on February 24. 

Ravindra, who suffered an injury on the forehead during the tri-series opener in Lahore, made a grand comeback with a superb 112 off 105 with a dozen boundaries and a six while left-handed Tom Latham made 55 as Black Caps cruised to an easy victory while chasing a modest target of 237 on a flat pitch. 

With New Zealand’s triumph, defending champions and hosts Pakistan have crashed out of the event with their last match game against Bangladesh to be a mere formality. Their fate was not unexpected after having lost to New Zealand and India in their first couple of games. 

The cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan kept following the game between New Zealand and Bangladesh in anticipation of an upset which could have kept the hosts alive in the competition. 

There had been miracles in the past when Pakistan ended as the beneficiaries in similar situations and people seemed justified in hoping for another one in Rawalpindi. 

At times, it did look as if another stunning result was round the corner to keep Pakistan afloat but the wishes of the home fans were not fulfilled. 

There were signs of divine help on way when New Zealand lost opener Will Young, a centurion in the previous outing, for a six-ball duck and Kane Williamson, arguably the most consistent of all modern-day batsmen, also perished cheaply. 

When left-handed opener Devon Conway returned to the dressing room after making 30 as New Zealand struggled to 72 for three in the 16th over, there was even greater hope of an upset coming up. 

However, Ravindra and Latham controlled their nerves and remained unruffled by the loss of early wickets. Turning the things around with a superb 129-run fourth wicket stand. Latham hit just three boundaries but his knock of 55, coming from 76 balls helped the cause of his team immensely. 

The Bangladesh spinners, unlike the New Zealanders, could not get purchase out of the pitch and the asking rate remained around five throughout the chase. The faster men also could not make much of an impact after their opening bursts. 

Ravindra, as he has often done in the recent past, paced his innings intelligently and runs kept coming at decent rate which didn’t allow any pressure to be created on the batters. He played attacking shots whenever the ball was in his hitting arc and with the calm and composed Latham doing the business at the other end, the outcome was seldom in doubt. 

With the asking rate coming down with every passing over, Ravindra duly achieved his personal landmark of scoring yet another ODI century, his first in the Champions Trophy on his maiden appearance. Neither he nor Latham could finish the match but they had done enough to secure another emphatic victory for their team. 

Earlier, Bangladesh inserted to bat by Mitchell Santner, were restricted to 236 for nine in the allotted 50 overs. Skipper Najamul Hossain Shanto hit a fighting 77 off 110 balls studded with nine fours while Jaker Ali contributed 45 off 55 balls with three four and one six. 

Off-spinner Micheal Bracewell, adjudged Player of the Match, bowled smartly to grab four wickets for 26 in tight 10-over spell. Speedster Will O’Rourke snapped up two wickets for 48 runs as Bangladesh played out a record number of 178 dot balls during the course of their innings. 

The Bangladesh batsmen were unable to maintain a healthy rate of scoring as they were stifled by the spin-cum-pace attack of the Black Caps, which as usual, was not prepared to give anything away. The captaincy of Santner was as impressive as ever.

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King Kohli’s unbeaten century puts hosts Pakistan at brink in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Star batter Virat Kohli shattered Pakistan's dreams and his spectacular unconquered century powered India to a comfortable six-wicket victory over the holders and hosts in the crucial league encounter of the 9th edition of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the packed Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. 

The mercurial Kohli finished the match with his seventh boundary which brought up his 100 off 111 balls. It was his 51st ODI century as it enabled India to win the match comfortably in the end with as many as 6.3 overs to spare. Pakistan were earlier bowled out for a modest 241 with three balls of 50 overs remaining. 

King Kohli, appearing in total command of the situation, added 104 for third wicket with Shreyas Iyer after India lost openers Rohit Sharma (20) and Shubman Gill (46). 

It was a historic match Kohli who reached the milestone of 14,000 ODI runs in the least number of innings when he drove fiery fast bowler Haris Rauf through the covers for four. Earlier, he completed 158 ODI catches, the most by an Indian. The Sri Lankan batter Mahela Jayawardene holds the world record with 218 catches. 

Skipper Sharma perished after making quick 20 as he was castled by Shaheen Shah Afridi with a swinging delivery after hitting a massive six and three fours. The in-form Gill was very aggressive against Shaheen, whom he hammered for 33 runs off 25 balls. 

Pakistan made an encouraging start after electing to bat first. Imam-ul-Haq. who came into team for the injured Fakhar Zaman, and Babar Azam gave the greenshirts 41-run opening stand. 

Both of them were cautious in the beginning but Babar opened up and played some lovely strokes. He struck pacer Hardik Pandya for a lovely cover drive. Trying to repeat it on the next ball, he edged it to keeper KL Rahul, much to the disappointment of Pakistan supporters. He slammed five boundaries in his 23 off 26 balls. 

Before Pakistan could recover from the Babar setback, his opening partner Imam needlessly ran himself out as a direct throw by Axar Patel from mid-on found him short of the crease. Pakistan slumped to 47 for two in with four balls of power play left. 

Captain Muhammad Rizwan joined Saud Shakeel and they steadied the innings. They added 50 runs for third wicket in 91 balls but the boundary draught didn't help the Pakistan cause. At one stage, Rizwan and Saud were unable to hit a boundary for 31 balls. 

Saud broke the shackles but they struggled to find the boundary for another 38 balls. After remaining in a defensive mould, left-handed Saud hammered back-to-back fours off Patel. 

Rizwan and Saud added 104 runs for the third wicket in 23.2 overs to raise hopes of posting a competitive total. But Rizwan, when looking in his groove, was bowled by Patel with lovely delivery which crashed into the stumps in 34th over. Rizwan cracked three fours in his cautious 46 off 77 balls. 

Pakistan lost three quick wickets as Rizwan, Saud and Tayyab Tahir perished inside 20 balls to leave them precariously placed at 165 for five at the start of 36th over. 

Saud, looking on course of a real big knock, was accounted by Pandya, who bowled superbly, for 63 off 76 balls and his innings was laced with five fours. 

Tayyab had no clue to a delivery from veteran left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah shared 35 runs for the sixth wicket before Jadeja took a well-judged catch of Salman off Kuldeep Yadav to end his 24-ball effort. He made 19 without hitting a boundary. 

Later, it was Khushdil Shah, another left-hander, who made 38 off 39 balls which allowed Pakistan to reach 241 before being bowled out after they had crashed to 205 for seven. 

Overall, Pakistan played 147 dot balls against India after having remained scoreless for 161 balls in the previous game against New Zealand in Karachi. 

The inability to rotate strike, particularly in the middle overs, cost them both the matches and put them at the brink of elimination from the tournament.

The Indian bowling, as expected, hardly gave away any easy runs except for the opening over when spearhead Mohammad Shami sprayed the ball in different directions and he was guilty of sending down five wides.

Even Shami regained control in his following overs and was hard to get away. Pandya supported the new-ball operators by claiming two crucial wickets while the spin trio of Patel, Jadeja and Yadav sustained the pressure with their tight spells. 

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Pakistan clash with India in do-or-die Champions Trophy duel at Dubai

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan clash with arch adversary, India, in a do-or-die Champions Trophy’s biggest tie at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23. This is a huge match for Pakistan to salvage their pride and for millions of their supporters looking at them after their dismal opening match against New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi. 

However, for achieving their goals and objectives, Muhammad Rizwan’s green shirts outfit must come up with an outstanding performance in all three areas of the game-batting, bowling and fielding. Pakistan’s recent record against India in both 50 overs Asia Cup and World Cup is bleak. 

Unfortunately, Pakistan’s performance in the tri-series at home was also far from encouraging. In Champions Trophy, however, Pakistan have enjoyed slight edge over India with 3-2 record. There was a hope of revival when Pakistan whipped South Africa in the tri-series league match. 

The Proteas entered the game without a few of their star performers but the manner in which Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha notched-up amazing centuries and shared a record 260-run fourth wicket stand to engineer a comfortable victory in the do-or-die fixture gladdened many hearts. 

Can they replicate their heroics against India, who possess a formidable batting line-up and equally potent bowling attack? The Indo-Pak encounters have had a history of creating additional pressures for both sides. Will it yet another nervy games and India choke against all odds? The cricket fans will get the answers on what is expected to be a thrilling Sunday for them. 

While Pakistan lost heavily to New Zealand in the opening game, the Indians, in sharp contrast, made a grand start by hammering Bangladesh with fast bowler Muhammad Shami snapping up five wickets and opener Shubman Gill cracking a brilliant unbeaten century. 

It was impressive display by India despite their missing their most sought-after bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Shami filled his place admirably well after returning from injury which kept him out of business for over a year. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may not be at their most fluent at the moment but both of them have the credentials to play match-winning knocks.

KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Gill are in great form and raring to go. Down the order, they have all-rounders who can be very explosive with the bat. The spin quintet of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and new sensation Varun Chakaravarty can pose threat to Pakistan’s inconsistent batting line-up. They may field three of these five spinners in the playing eleven. 

The Indians, having almost all bases covered, definitely have an edge over the hosts after having whitewashed England in the recent ODI series at home. After losing rising opener Saim Ayub a few weeks ago, Pakistan got another big blow in the opening match when attacking opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the event due to reoccurrence of injury. Imam-ul-Haq has been drafted in his place. Fakhar could have been good psychological impact on the India team which is gone now. 

The Pakistan batters facing criticism of experts and public after slow batting against New Zealand. Rizwan and Salman will have to accept the challenge against the Indian bowlers. 

How Babar Azam bats, slow or fast, could determine the fate of the match. If he anchors Pakistan innings deep it can benefit team in building a good total if the hitters do their job around him. The Indians must be aware of the threats they face in the shape of Babar, Salman and Rizwan. 

Pakistan’s fiery bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have the opportunity to make amends of their indifferent performance in the recent matches. If they can cause dents with early Indian wickets, the match can go either way. 

The one area where Pakistan is disadvantaged clearly is spin bowling. With Abrar Ahmed being the only specialist spinner in the squad, they could struggle in maintaining control through part-timers.

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Reckelton hits chanceless ton as star-studded South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Opener Ryan Reckelton smashed a chanceless century as South Africa launched their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in style when they handed out 107-run drubbing to Afghanistan at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 21. 

Chasing a challenging target of 316 off 50 overs for victory, Afghanistan, despite a defiant knock from Rahmat Shah and enjoying strong cheers from vociferous crowd, were bowled out for 207 in 43.3 overs. 

Rahmat came in to bat at number four spot and stood like a rock. He was the last man to be dismissed, caught behind to Ryan Reckelton for 90 off 92 balls with nine fours and one six. 

Rather surprisingly, none of the other Afghan batters showed intent for long innings and he did not receive the desired support from the other end. 

The experienced fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, returning to the side after skipping the recently concluded tri-series, was the pick of South African bowlers, claiming three wickets for 36 runs. His fellow pacemen, Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi, took two wickets apiece. 

The 1998 inaugural trophy winners South Africa mustered a competitive total of 315 for six in 50 overs thanks to a fantastic century from Reckelton and brilliant half centuries from Aiden Markaram, Temba Bavuma and Van der Dussen. 

Afghanistan, making their debut in the event, started badly by losing their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (17) in the power play which was a big setback for them. 

Gurbaz, known for his attacking shots, paid the price of getting adventurous as he attempted to hoist Ngidi out of the ground but ended up offering a catch at fine leg to Keshav Maharaj, who made no mistake. He made 10 in 14 balls with a solitary boundary. 

Zadran struck Kagsio Rabada for a massive straight six but the fast bowler took revenge soon afterwards by uprooting his stumps. Zadran made 17 off 29 balls with a six and a four. 

Opener Rickelton registered fifth century of the ongoing Champions Trophy while Markarm, Bavuma, and Dussen blasted half centuries which propelled South Africa to an impressive total of 315 after having opted to bat first in overcast conditions. 

They lost opener Tony de Zorzi (11) in sixth over with 28 runs on the board. But Rickelton, in the company of captain Bavuma, put Proteas on road to a grand recovery with 129-run second wicket partnership off 142 balls. 

Rickelton, who posted his career best score of 259 during the home Test series against Pakistan just a couple of months ago, played with solid defence coupled with controlled aggression to defy Afghanistan’s powerful pace cum spin attack. 

His entertaining half century came off balls with five fours and a six. However, in an effort to build South African innings, he continued to bat with patience. Bavuma, who survived a previous ball lbw review, ballooned top edge to Sadequllah at mid-wicket trying to hit Muhammad Nabi out of the ground. 

Veteran Afghan spinner Nabi bowled tightly to finish with two wickets for 51 runs in ten overs. Noor Ahmed proved expensive with figures of 1-59 in nine overs while medium pacer Azmatullah Omarzai returned the figures of 1-59 in eight overs. Their premier spinner Rashid Khan went wicketless, going for 59 runs in his ten overs. 

The Afghan spinners, with the sole exception of Nabi, were unable to stem the flow of runs besides after being unsuccessful in bringing about any mini-collapse during the course of the South African innings which hardly ever lost momentum, enabling them to get to a total in the excess of 300 without taking too many risks. 

The change of fortunes must have come a sigh of relief for the enigmatic South Africans as they finally managed to win an ODI after consecutive losses in the recent past. 

Only time will tell if they are able to extend their winning form in the tournament as they proceed to take on England and Australia in remaining league fixtures.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have to lift their game considerably in future games in order to make an impact in the event. They have entered the competition with high hopes but their spinners will have to come good and batters will need to play to their potential if they are to repeat their heroics of earlier ICC tournaments.

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Imam-ul-Haq approved as replacement for Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan squad

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Event Technical Committee of the 9th ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad. The 29-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar got ruled out due to an oblique injury. 

The left-handed Fakhar, after having exhibited attacking instincts in the tri-series, which preceded the Champions Trophy, was seriously injured when he chased down a drive in the very first over of the opening game against New Zealand on February 19. 

He saved the boundary but the injury forced him to leave the field. He came into bat down the order, at number four, because of having spent time in the dressing room which prevented him from taking up the usual position of an opener. 

He could be felt in obvious discomfort while executing aggressive shots and his future in the tournament seemed in jeopardy while watching him bat. Fakhar has now been replaced officially and his position has been taken by Imam, also a left-handed opening batsman. 

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager-Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager-Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director-International Cricket Operations) and Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).

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Young, Latham blast centuries as New Zealand whip Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy curtain-raiser

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The duo of opener Will Young and wicketkeeper Tom Latham blasted superb centuries as New Zealand whipped defending champions Pakistan by 60 runs in the curtain-raiser match of the 9th ICC Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament at National Stadium, Karachi, on February 19. 

Chasing 321 for victory, Pakistan was bowled out 260 in 47.2 overs much to dismay and disappointment of a crowd, estimated to be in the excess of 25,000, and millions of their supporters around the globe. 

Khushdil Shah top-scored with 69 off 49 balls with ten sizzling boundaries and a six. Babar Azam made steady 64 off 90 balls with the aid of half dozen boundaries and a six. Fast bowler Will O’Rourke and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner captured three wickets each to devastate the Pakistan batting. 

Opener Young returned to top form with a spectacular 107 while left-handed Latham slammed unbeaten 118 to lead Kiwis to a commanding total at the new-look National Stadium. 

This was Muhammad Rizwan-led Pakistan’s third successive defeat against New Zealand over the last few days, after suffering a couple of defeats in the tri-series league round and final. 

The visitors were in a spot of bother at 73 for three in the 17th over after losing top batters Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10) cheaply. But Young and Latham retrieved the situation by adding 118 runs for the third wicket. 

Latham, having returned to form after being dismissed for consecutive ducks in the tri-series league matches, clubbed ten boundaries and three sixes in his 104-ball knock. With Glenn Philips, he plundered 125 runs off mere 74 balls. Philips, extending his brilliant run, smashed a brutal 61 off 39 balls with three fours and four sixes. 

First, Young and Latham and later Latham and Philips went on a rampage against the pace duo of Shaheeen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf as Blackcaps scored 113 runs in last 10 overs and 64 in last five with Pakistan’s death bowling worries continuing unabated. 

Haris, who conceded 44 runs in his first two spells, was punished badly by Latham and Philips, who hammered him for 39 runs hoisting three sixes. 

The 32-year-old Young, who could muster only 28 runs in three innings of tri-series, defied the home bowlers with superb batting display. He reached his fifty in 56 balls with five boundaries and a six off Haris. 

Having accelerated the rate of scoring with Latham with lovely stroke-play, he reached the coveted three-figure mark by pushing Abrar Ahmed for a single. 

After earning the distinction of scoring the first century of the tournament, Young eventually departed when trying to lift Naseem Shah out of the ground as he was caught by substitute fielder Faheem Ashraf at fine-leg. He made 107 off 113 which included a dozen boundaries and six. This was his fourth hundred in ODIs. 

Young and Devon Conway gave Kiwis a promising start of 39 runs to neutralize the early assault of Shaheen and Haris with new ball. However, two wickets in five balls tilted the game towards Pakistan. 

Leg-spinner Abrar struck in his second over by cleaning Conway with a carrom ball to the delight of vociferous crowd. It was a big breakthrough for the hosts. The New Zealanders landed in deeper trouble when speedster Naseem Shah removed classy batter Williamson, who edged a beautiful outswinger to keeper Rizwan. 

Quite remarkably, it was for the first time since 2019 when the master batsman was removed before reaching double figures in ODIs. 

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss yet again and opted to bowl first in conditions which were nearly ideal for batting but the decision was prompted by the anticipated dew factor in the evening. Fast bowler Haris Rauf returned to the team after regaining fitness. He replaced Faheem Ashraf. Rachin Ravindra, however, was still not fit for New Zealand.

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President Asif Zardari graces opening ceremony of Champions Trophy at National Stadium; PAF aerial display stuns spectators

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, was the chief guest in the opening ceremony of the 9th ICC Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 19. The First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also accompanied the President. 

Upon arrival at the National Stadium, the dignitaries were received by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the Federal Minister for Interior. 

The President and the First Lady, accompanied by former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, carried the Champions Trophy onto the field. President Asif Zardari met with the captains of the Pakistan and New Zealand cricket teams. Later, the President and the First Lady also watched the match between the two teams. 

The opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy also witnessed a stunning aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), offering a tribute to the nation. 

The performance, led by the Sherdil team, spread the colours of the green and white flag across the skies, a magnificent representation of national pride. 

The Sherdil team, renowned for its professional expertise, demonstrated exceptional skills with their daring stunts, including the iconic Shaheen break manoeuvre. 

The breath-taking show, featuring JF-17s, F-16s, and the Sherdil Shaheens, set hearts racing and mesmerized the audience. 

The JF-17 Thunder aircraft also participated in the fly-past, which amplified the spectacle. This aircraft has been known for having proved its formidable capabilities in numerous international exercises.

The involvement of JF-17s in various air forces around the world is a testament to their operational excellence and combat readiness. The entire aerial display was a resounding demonstration of the Pakistan Air Force’s professionalism and the unwavering spirit of the nation.

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