Pakistan Cricket 2025: Youth Shine as Seniors Miss Out on Titles
Pakistan Cricket 2025 was a year of sharp contrasts, with young players delivering historic successes while the senior teams struggled to secure major international titles.
The year 2025 was a tale of contrasts for Pakistan cricket.
While the senior national teams struggled to capture major trophies, Pakistan’s younger players stepped up, brought home silverware, and rekindled hopes for the future of the Green Shirts.
Senior Team Struggles & Major Setbacks.
Pakistan’s senior men’s team endured a disappointing year in 2025, starting with a Test series whitewash against South Africa and then struggling across formats.
Their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 campaign ended poorly, with only five wins from 14 matches, finishing bottom of the table.
Limited-overs cricket also brought frustration—in a tri-series at home against New Zealand and South Africa, Pakistan reached the final. Still, it lost to an unbeaten New Zealand side, extending their string of underwhelming outcomes.
This lack of consistency annoyed fans and showed that the team was having bigger problems with its form, balance, and ability to change strategies at key moments.
Champions Trophy 2025: Hosting with Mixed Results.
Pakistan hosted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, providing an opportunity for redemption on their home ground.
However, despite hosting the entire event, the senior team failed to reach the later stages, suffering defeats to both New Zealand and India, with the weather even affecting their match against Bangladesh.
India ultimately lifted the trophy, displaying superior consistency and tactics, leaving Pakistan with another bitter campaign to reflect upon.
Down Under Woes & Subcontinental Challenges.
Touring New Zealand, Pakistan’s struggles continued with a 4-1 T20I series loss followed by a 3-0 ODI whitewash, reinforcing concerns over adaptability in overseas conditions.
These results raised questions about team structure, planning, and player readiness for international challenges—especially as global cricket becomes more competitive.
Pakistan’s White-Ball Revival at Home.
Things weren’t all awful. In a T20I series played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, the Green Shirts beat Bangladesh 3-0 on their home field.
This somewhat powerful showing created short-lived hope.
However, the momentum quickly faded when Pakistan lost the 2–1 return series in Bangladesh, indicating that their performance remained inconsistent despite a growing sense of confidence.
Leadership Shake-ups: Rizwan to Shaheen & Beyond.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made significant leadership changes in 2025. They removed Mohammad Rizwan as captain of the ODI team and put quick bowler Shaheen Afridi in charge instead.
This action was done to bring in new energy and ideas.
But Afridi has been injured recently while playing in a franchise league, raising concerns about continuity ahead of big tournaments.
As Pakistan looked for a new path before the upcoming contests and the 2026 T20 World Cup, the white-ball skipper was finally given to all-rounder Salman Ali Agha.
Youth Cricket Dominance—A Bright Future
While senior cricket faltered, Pakistan’s emerging talent shone, capturing multiple titles and proving that the future could be in expert hands.
Hong Kong Super Sixes Triumph
The Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan’s A team) clinched the Hong Kong Super Sixes 2025, dropping just one match in the entire group stage and defeating Kuwait in the final—an emphatic display of young talent on the international stage.
The Pakistan Shaheens were crowned the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars Champions.
Pakistan’s juniors were unbeaten at the inaugural ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars Tournament, including a thrilling group-stage win over archrivals India, ending in a dramatic super over victory against Bangladesh A to lift the trophy.
Historic U19 Asia Cup Victory
In a season-highlight moment, Pakistan’s Under-19 team captured their first-ever U19 Asia Cup title, dominating India in the final with both bat and ball—a masterpiece performance reminiscent of elite championship cricket and a source of national pride.
These accomplishments evidence a powerhouse of emerging talent and give Pakistan cricket fans a reason for optimism as these youngsters transition to higher honours.
Domestic Cricket: PSL Success & Local Stars.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 was a high point for home fans. The Lahore Qalandars won their third PSL title by beating the Quetta Gladiators in a very close final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Standout performances from international and local stars kept fans engaged and helped sustain the league’s popularity, even in a year of ups and downs for international cricket.
Rankings & Statistical Bright Spots.
There were statistical improvements worth noting:
- Pakistan’s ICC ODI ranking climbed to fourth after a close series win over Sri Lanka, signaling potential in the 50-over format when combinations clicked.
- Against Sri Lanka, Pakistan also won a T20I tri-series final by six wickets, showcasing younger players in strong roles during the batting innings.
- Overall in 2025, Pakistan played 34 T20Is, winning 21, a sign of promise and competitiveness in the shortest format.
These flashes show that while titles eluded the seniors, the team remained competitive in isolated series and formats.
Women’s Cricket: Promising Starts & Finishing Frustrations.
The women’s squad from Pakistan had some good and difficult times. They started well, winning seven straight matches in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore.
But their momentum stalled during the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, when rain cancelled several games, and Pakistan lost all its matches in the main event.
This was a frustrating end to what had been a promising start.
Pakistan also lost a T20I series to Ireland, meaning they must have experience and adaptability.
Pakistan-India Series Controversies.
There were also issues with sportsmanship between Pakistan and India in 2025, especially at major ACC tournaments. There were tense incidents that went beyond the field, prompting people to question cricket etiquette and the fierce rivalry.
Controversies & Discipline Issues.
Off the field, issues arose regarding senior players’ compensation and contracts, with the PCB expressing dissatisfaction with recent performances and proposing revisions to central contracts, reflecting administrative concerns about accountability and value for money.
Coach & Strategy Comments.
Some analysts pointed to a turnaround in Pakistan’s T20 strategy during Mike Hesson’s time as coach, with improvements in fielding, bowling depth, and an attacking mindset—though consistency remains a challenge.
Key Youth Performers to Watch
Emerging young stars, including Under-19 champions, Shaheens, and rising tri-series performers, became standout names in 2025.
- Sameer Minhas (U19 Asia Cup hero)
- Abdul Subhan (U19 bowling leader)
- Rising T20 stars in tri-series
- Young players from the PSL are stepping up in important matches.
Their success suggests Pakistan’s future team could blend youthful flair with seasoned experience effectively.
Conclusion: A Tale of Two Generations.
Pakistan Cricket 2025 was about young people winning and seniors being frustrated. The senior national teams didn’t win any big trophies. Still, the year will be remembered for junior and up-and-coming players winning titles, exciting domestic league competition, and signs of a bright future.
Pakistani cricket will change and become more consistent in 2026, with new leaders, better rankings, and young players from Pakistan doing well. (Geo News)