Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi To Be Dropped From Pakistan Team? Report Makes Huge Claim

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Pakistan cricket team's journey in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended prematurely within just five days following consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India. To add to their woes, their final group-stage fixture against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain, leaving them winless in the tournament.

This humiliating exit has triggered serious discussions within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has now announced a thorough review of the team's performance and have put star players, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi's spots in the team in danger.

As per a report by Cricket Pakistan suggest that significant squad changes could be on the horizon, with key players such as Babar, Shaheen, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah potentially facing exclusion from future plans.

Head coach Aaqib Javed, despite the underwhelming performance, has expressed his reluctance to step down. However, the PCB may not allow him to continue in his role, considering the mounting pressure from fans and former cricketers. Moreover, reports indicate internal conflicts within the Pakistan squad, particularly between captain Mohammad Rizwan and the coaching staff.

Sources claim that Rizwan was frustrated over his exclusion from key decision-making processes, particularly concerning team selection. He had reportedly pushed for the inclusion of Khushdil Shah, but Aaqib Javed and the selectors opted for Faheem Ashraf without consulting him. The lack of coordination between the captain and the management only added to Pakistan's struggles on the field.

The Men in Green also wrapped up with just a single point and a Net Run Rate of -1.087, finishing at the bottom of the table. This marks an unfortunate record, as they became the first host nation in Champions Trophy history to end a campaign without a single victory since the group stage format was introduced in 2002.

With Pakistan's cricketing future now at a crossroads, the PCB's impending review is expected to bring sweeping changes. Whether it leads to a squad overhaul or a restructuring of the coaching staff, one thing is certain-the team will need a fresh direction to bounce back from this forgettable tournament.