Pakistan Head Coach Blames Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf For Early Champions Trophy Exit

Shaheen, Rauf blamed by head coach [Source: AP Photo]

Pakistan were the host nation of the Champions Trophy 2025, but unfortunately for them, the team crashed out of the group stage after horror showing Vs New Zealand and India. Their third match against Bangladesh was washed out as the team ended the tournament without a single win.

It was widely expected that Pakistan will reach at-least the semifinals of the tournament, but the side produced a disappointing result as the entire team came under scrutiny. After Pakistan's tournament ended, their focus shifted towards the next project, the white-ball series against New Zealand and the squad for the same was announced on Tuesday.

Shaheen, Rauf blamed for CT exit

During the squad announcement in a press conference by interim coach, Aaqib Javed, he put the entire blame on Pakistan's pace duo, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf and stated that the two bowlers lacked the skills to deliver the goods.

“The two places you get the most reverse swing are Karachi and Dubai, and unfortunately, our bowlers couldn’t capitalize on that,” Aqib said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“I have spoken to Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, and I’ve asked them to go back and work on their skill sets,” he added. 

Shaheen, Rauf dropped from NZ ODIs

After poor performances in the Champions Trophy 2025, both Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were dropped from the ODI series against New Zealand. The two pacers were Pakistan's key player prior to the Champions Trophy, but both the bowlers produced a horror show.

While Shaheen just picked up 2 wickets in 2 matches, at an average of 71, Rauf also scalped 2 wickets at an average of 67.50.

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