Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting. — AFP/File
Australian cricketing nice Ricky Ponting has pinpointed key elements behind Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, highlighting tactical missteps and underutilisation of key gamers.
Regardless of internet hosting the event and coming into as defending champions, Pakistan turned the primary workforce eradicated after back-to-back defeats—first towards New Zealand within the opener, adopted by a crushing loss to arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai.
Talking on The ICC Evaluation, Ponting questioned whether or not Pakistan was maximising the potential of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, suggesting the workforce’s technique didn’t capitalise on its greatest belongings.
“They haven’t been able to give their best to the team. Those two guys had to step up and score big runs,” Ponting stated.
“And they haven’t been able to do it in the first couple of games, which might be the reason why Pakistan didn’t make it to the semi-finals,” he added.
The previous batting maestro additionally praised Indian star Virat Kohli for delivering in high-pressure matches.
“I’ve always said big games require big players. You need your stars to rise to the occasion, and there’s no bigger game for India than one against Pakistan,” he remarked.
“Your reputation is built on how you perform in the biggest contests on the international stage. So it’s no surprise to me that Kohli stepped up,” he concluded.
For the unversed, Pakistan formally turned the primary workforce, alongside Bangladesh, to be eradicated from the continued event.
The event will proceed till March 9.
The Inexperienced Shirts, who clinched the celebrated title in 2017 below Sarfaraz Ahmed’s management, started their title defence towards New Zealand however struggled to make an impression within the event.
