Javed Miandad Attacks Pakistan Players’ Income After ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Elimination
Published - 25 Feb 2025, 03:04 PM | Updated - 25 Feb 2025, 11:35 PM
Table of Contents
Javed Miandad, legendary Pakistani cricketer, has completely slammed the Mohammad Rizwan-led Men in Greenside. This comes after Pakistan was eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament, an ICC Event they are hosting after 29 years.
Pakistan's early elimination has provoked criticism, with blame directed at the PCB and selectors. The team was ousted from the tournament after losing heavily to New Zealand and arch-rivals India. The former cricketer suggested that players, rather than the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and selectors, should be held accountable.
Miandad angry at his team
Javed Miandad questioned Pakistan's players' professionalism, claiming that criticizing the system and selectors was pointless. He remarked that professionalism is required to compete in large matches and competitions.
"It is useless blaming the system, selectors and all that. The question is are these selected players short on anything? Does not the PCB take care of them? Are they not paid enough? So where is the passion and fire and professionalism to perform in big matches and tournaments,” Javed Miandad told PTI.
Over the past three years, there have been numerous management and leadership changes in Pakistani cricket. The team has had eight head coaches, four captains, and 26 selectors.
Pakistan was under pressure even before they played against India: Javed Miandad
Even before the game began, the 67-year-old claimed that Pakistan's players were displaying indications of pressure. None of them appeared to be trying to dominate India's bowlers, he noted.
During their loss against India, Pakistan's hitters lacked motivation. They were bowled out in 49.4 overs after managing just 241 runs. Virat Kohli scored an unbroken 100 as India easily chased the target in 42.3 overs. New Zealand's victory over Bangladesh the next day confirmed Pakistan's elimination in the first round.
"Truth is our players were under pressure even before the match began. Look at their body language, not one of them appeared to be in a mood to dominate Indian bowlers," Javed Miandad said.
Pakistan suffered the loss of Fakhar Zaman, their main opener, who was unable to play against India. He was replaced by Imam-ul-Haq, who was run out after scoring just 10 runs off of 26 balls.
India and New Zealand qualify for the semi-finals from Group A
Pakistan lost back-to-back games in the Champions Trophy. In Karachi, they were defeated by New Zealand in the tournament's opening match. Although it was a must-win game, the Men in Green were unable to defeat their bitter enemies, India.
Fans were particularly disappointed by their early elimination because Pakistan was hosting an ICC event for the first time in 29 years. Memes that ridiculed the team's subpar performance were all over social media.
With two victories apiece, India and New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals of Group A, while Bangladesh and Pakistan were eliminated after losing all of their games.
