Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy has led to strong criticism from former cricket players and fans, with former captain Shahid Afridi calling for big changes in the team’s approach and mindset, like 90s gameplay. As hosts and defending champions, Pakistan had a disappointing campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, getting knocked out in the group stage after losses against New Zealand and India. It was a frustrating end to their first major international tournament at home in almost 30 years.

Former captain Shahid Afridi, known for his aggressive style, believes Pakistan struggled because they are stuck in the past mode, he said that Pakistan is not playing like modern cricket they are playing like old fashioned. "In 2025, Pakistan was still playing cricket like it was the 1980s and 1990s, while other teams had moved ahead with a modern, attacking approach," he told AFP. "Playing too many dot balls also hurt us badly."   

Shahid Afridi : "I have concerns about the inclusion of certain players in the Champions Trophy squad, but I won't name them.
pic.twitter.com/cTqsUSGAu4

— Thakur (@hassam_sajjad) February 18, 2025

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra’s India-Pakistan Team Has Only Indian Players

Pakistan had trouble rotating the strike in both losses, facing 152 dot balls while scoring 241 against India, knowing that Pakistan had a problem rotating the strike. Their slow start against India made things worse, as they played a record 28 dot balls in the first six overs against India, putting them under pressure right away.  

Afridi pointed out that Pakistan’s players don’t have the aggressive mindset. "Their thinking doesn’t match modern cricket," he said. "We need big changes in our team so we can develop players who play with a positive, attacking mindset." Pakistan still have one match left against Bangladesh, but they are already out of the semi-finals".