Pakistan knocked out of PD Champions Trophy despite England win

COLOMBO: Pakistan have been knocked out of the Physically Disabled (PD) Champions Trophy 2025 despite a narrow 10-run victory over England in their last group-stage fixture here at the BOI Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The green shirts concluded the group stage with three wins in six matches, finishing third, mainly due to England’s astonishing victory over India, who topped the standings with five victories in six games.

England, on the other hand, finished second with four triumphs in six matches and thus, qualified for the final, alongside India.

The final of the four-team tournament will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.

In the penultimate group-stage fixture, majorly affected by the rain, Pakistan amassed a formidable total of 72/1 in the allotted five overs, thanks to swashbuckling cameos by Ghulam Muhammad and Saif Ullah Achakzai.

Ghulam top-scored with a 12-ball 28, studded with two fours and three sixes, while wicketkeeper batter Achakzai made 26 not out from 11 deliveries, laced with one four and two sixes.

Ben Sutton claimed the solitary wicket for England, returning with figures of 1/18.

Chasing a daunting 73-run target in five overs, England could accumulate 62 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Liam O’Brien top-scored for England with 29 off 13 deliveries, followed by Brendon Parr, who made an 11-ball 20.

For Pakistan, skipper Abdullah Ijaz, left-arm spinner Waqif Shah and Muhammad Noman took one wicket apiece.

For his quickfire cameo, Pakistan’s Ghulam Muhammad was adjudged the player of the match in Pakistan’s last fixture of the PD Champions Trophy 2025.