Pakistan's Champions Trophy journey commenced unfavourably, as they faced a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the tournament's opening match held on home soil. This loss marked their third consecutive defeat to the Kiwis within a fortnight, following two earlier setbacks in a tri-series, and highlighted significant deficiencies in Pakistan's batting strategy, raising substantial concerns ahead of their crucial encounter with India.

In pursuit of a target of 321 runs, Pakistan appeared to lack control, with their top-order faltering under the mounting pressure. Babar Azam managed to score 64 runs off 90 balls but displayed a lack of aggression, while captain Mohammad Rizwan contributed only 3 runs from 14 balls, and Saud Shakeel scored a mere 6 runs off 19 deliveries, both failing to demonstrate the necessary urgency.

Fakhar Zaman, who batted at No. 4 after experiencing an injury scare that limited his participation in the field, struggled to provide the required momentum, accumulating only 24 runs from 41 balls. By the time the lower-order batsmen attempted to make an impact, the match had already slipped beyond their reach.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Pakistan's players encountered considerable backlash from fans and former cricketers. Nevertheless, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, a member of the 1992 World Cup-winning team, defended the current squad, asserting that they represent the "best players" available to Pakistan. He criticized the longstanding notion of 'parchi' (selection based on connections), emphasizing that such practices are ineffective at the international level.

"To be candid, I can be. In our culture, we often say, 'These are our kids, don't criticize them.' This is a common sentiment here. However, I believe these are indeed our best players. If there were superior options, they would have been chosen. The term 'parchi' is prevalent, but at this level, it holds no weight. It is challenging to convey this to the people of Pakistan," Akram remarked.

"We have 5-6 selectors involved. It is a complex situation, especially with the changes in the domestic structure."

Pakistan's poor outing

The performance of the bowlers was equally disappointing. Haris Rauf conceded 83 runs over the course of 10 overs, and Pakistan's dependence on part-time spinners proved detrimental, as they were unable to restrict Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107). Even Shaheen Afridi, who is typically Pakistan's leading bowler, was ineffective during the final overs.

Compounding Pakistan's difficulties, the attendance from the home crowd was lacklustre, with noticeable empty seats at the beginning of the match. This defeat not only hampers their campaign but also intensifies the pressure as they prepare for their upcoming match against their long-standing rivals, India.

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