"Internal Conflict" Led To Pakistan's Early Exit From Champions Trophy: Report

Pakistan cricket team put up an embarrassing show during the Champions Trophy 2025. The defending champions were knocked out early in the group stage of the tournament. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side suffered a 60-run loss to New Zealand in the event opener before being outplayed by India by a 6-wicket margin. As the Blackcaps beat Bangladesh in the game on February 24, the result confirmed Pakistan's elimination from the tournament as the side could best finish at the number 3 spot in the group. On the other hand, India and New Zealand are the teams which confirmed their qualification for the semi-finals.

The poor show from Pakistan was due to a "internal conflict" between the team's captain Mohammad Rizwan and head coach Aaqib Javed, claimed a report in Cricket Pakistan.

"Mohammad Rizwan appeared frustrated due to a lack of consultation on key decisions. When he advocated for the inclusion of Khushdil Shah, Aqib Javed went ahead and selected Faheem Ashraf on his own. The selection committee and Mohammad Rizwan were clearly not on the same page," the report said while quoting its source.

The report added that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also suggested twice to make changes in the squad ahead of the ICC tournament, but his advice was not taken into consideration. The Board chief, however, decided not to take any action against it.

Their dreams of defending the Champions Trophy title at home shattered, an under-fire Pakistan team will seek to play for pride when it faces an equally insipid Bangladesh in a dead rubber on Thursday.

Disgruntled fans are now calling for sweeping changes in the country's cricket structure starting from the very top of the pyramid, days after the first global tournament in Pakistan in 29 years got