You ever watch a cricket match and feel like you’ve time-traveled? Not because of the game itself, but because of how fans react? Watching Pakistan play in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, I couldn’t help but feel like I was back in the ‘90s—except, well… Pakistan cricket isn’t quite what it used to be.
Same Passion, Different Reality
There was a time when Pakistan had bowlers who could swing the ball in their sleep. When their batters, unpredictable as ever, could pull off a chase that made no sense but somehow just worked. Fast forward to today, and while the passion from fans remains louder than ever, the cricketing system? Not so much.
And this game? This game felt like a reality check for every fan still clinging to the nostalgia of Wasim, Waqar, and Saeed Anwar.
New Zealand Did Their Homework. Pakistan? Not So Much.
Pakistan won the toss, decided to field, and—well, let’s just say things got ugly real quick. New Zealand played like a team with a plan. Will Young? 107 off 113 balls, smooth, composed, like a man who knew exactly what he was doing. Tom Latham? 118 off 104, guiding the innings like a pro. Glenn Phillips? 61 off 39, because of course, he had to rub some salt in the wounds.
By the end of it? 320/5. And it wasn’t even an aggressive, full-throttle innings—just good, structured batting.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s bowling attack, which has long been the pride of their cricketing culture, looked more like a Wi-Fi signal—strong at times, but mostly unreliable. Shaheen (0/68), Haris (2/83), and Naseem (2/63) all had their moments, but it was like watching a band where nobody was playing in sync.
Chasing 321 with Nostalgia, Not Strategy
Now, let’s talk about Pakistan’s batting. You ever have that moment where you think, “Oh, maybe they’ll surprise us today…” and then instantly regret thinking that?
Pakistan started like they had an exam they forgot to study for. Saud Shakeel gone for 6. Rizwan out for 3. Babar… well, he did his best (64 off 90), but you can’t carry a team with hope alone. Khushdil Shah’s 69 off 49 gave a little late spark, but by then, it was more of a “let’s at least lose with dignity” effort.
The reality? Pakistan fell 60 runs short, all out for 260. And somewhere, in the stands or on their couches, fans probably said, “If this was 1999, we would’ve chased this in 45 overs.”
Final Thought: The Game Has Moved On. Has Pakistan?
Here’s the thing. Pakistan still has talent—that’s not the issue. The issue is systems, development, and adapting to modern cricket. Teams like India, England, and Australia have pipelines so deep they could field multiple competitive squads. Pakistan? They’re still looking for the next big superstar to save them instead of building a machine that produces consistent winners.
So, Pakistan fans… I get it. The nostalgia is strong. But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to demand more than just hoping for miracles.