Pakistan’s cricket team continues to face heavy criticism following their early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar stating that even a second-string Indian side could defeat them.

India, the 2023 ODI World Cup finalists, secured a six-wicket victory over defending champions Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, extending their dominance over their arch-rivals.

Gavaskar on Pakistan’s decline

Gavaskar questioned Pakistan’s lack of bench strength, a concern that has grown since their Champions Trophy triumph in 2017.

“I think a B team from India can certainly give Pakistan a tough fight. A C team, I’m not too sure, but a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form,” Gavaskar remarked.

Pakistan, hosting an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, were eliminated from the competition after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh in another Group A fixture. The team remains winless in the ongoing tournament.

Gavaskar attributed India’s rise in white-ball cricket to the IPL, contrasting it with Pakistan’s struggles despite having the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“How has India produced so many young stars? It’s because of the IPL. Players from there have gone on to play domestic cricket and eventually for India. That is something Pakistan must analyze,” he added.

Atherton: "India-Pakistan clash no longer competitive"

Former England captain Michael Atherton echoed similar sentiments, calling the India-Pakistan rivalry a “one-sided” affair.

"Well, it was completely one-sided,” Atherton said. “Pakistan’s batting lacked energy and dynamism. It was predictable from the start, just like their first match against New Zealand.”

Despite the rivalry’s historical significance, India has dominated in recent years. Pakistan has won only one of their last nine ODI encounters against India, with their last victory coming in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

“You want the cricket to live up to the hype, but if you look at the results in the last decade, it’s a one-sided contest now,” Atherton added.

Pakistan still leads the overall ODI head-to-head record against India with 58 wins in 136 matches, but their struggles in ICC events continue to raise concerns about their future in international cricket.