Pakistan sport in 2025: A year of highs and setbacks

Pakistan sport in 2025 — a year of contrasts

2025 unfolded as a mixed year for Pakistan’s sport, marked by moments of celebration and frustration. While elite teams struggled for consistency, youth squads and individual athletes delivered standout performances, offering optimism amid uneven results across major international competitions.

Champions Trophy homecoming ends early

Pakistan hosted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, its first ICC event at home since 1996. Expectations were high, but the campaign ended abruptly as defeats in the opening two matches saw the hosts become the first team eliminated from the tournament.

Asia Cup tensions spill beyond cricket

Political strain between Pakistan and India carried into the Asia Cup in the UAE. India won all three encounters, including the final, while refusal to shake hands and accept the trophy sparked controversy.

Youth cricket offers hope

While the men’s team faltered, Pakistan’s youth sides impressed. The Pakistan Shaheens won the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars title in Doha, defeating Bangladesh A in a Super Over final to secure a record third championship.

U19 Asia Cup glory against India

Pakistan’s highlight of the year came at the U19 Asia Cup, where they thrashed India by 191 runs in the final. Opener Sameer Minhas starred with a record 172, the highest individual score in a U19 Asia Cup final.

Hockey shows signs of revival

Pakistan hockey recorded a rare positive year. The national team reached the FIH Nations Cup final for the first time in 11 years, claiming silver, and returned to the Pro Hockey League following New Zealand’s withdrawal from the competition.

Arshad Nadeem grabs golds

After an underwhelming World Athletics Championships, Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem responded strongly. He won gold in the javelin at the Asian Athletics Championships and the Islamic Solidarity Games, keeping Pakistan visible at elite global meets.

Snooker delivers on all fronts

Snooker remained Pakistan’s most reliable sport. Muhammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal won the IBSF World Team Snooker title, while Asif added the World Masters crown and teenager Hasnain Akhtar claimed the U17 world championship.

Squash wins on the road

Pakistan’s squash players impressed abroad. Noor Zaman lifted the Nash Cup in Canada, while Muhammad Ashab Irfan won the St Louis Open in the US, underlining Pakistan’s continued presence on the international squash circuit.

History made in the mountains

Beyond stadiums, Sirbaz Khan created history by summiting Kangchenjunga without supplemental oxygen. He became the first Pakistani to complete all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, achieving a rare milestone in global mountaineering.