Pakistan’s mixed sports journey in 2025

2025 proved to be a roller-coaster year for Pakistan sports, with periods of celebration alongside disappointing moments.

In cricket, Pakistan recorded several notable achievements in select formats, but inconsistent performances in major tournaments have prevented sustained success at the highest level.

Hockey provided a rare positive headline as Pakistan qualified for the Pro Hockey League after several years, following New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the competition.

In athletics, javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem failed to live up to expectations at the World Athletics Championships but bounced back by winning gold medals at the Islamic Solidarity Games and the National Games.

Pakistan’s local talent has also made its mark in sports such as squash, volleyball and snooker, securing notable victories at the regional and international levels.

Cricket

Let’s start with cricket. Pakistan opened the year by hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the country’s first home ICC tournament since the 1996 World Cup.

The home side’s campaign, however, was short-lived as the Green Shirts were knocked out of the competition after losing their first two matches.

Handshake controversy

Tensions between Pakistan and India escalated in May when the nuclear-armed neighbors engaged in a brief military conflict. The strained relations carried over to the Asia Cup T20I tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where India won all three matches against Pakistan, including the final.

During the tournament, Indian players refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi and refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the toss and after the matches. Several players from both sides were seen making provocative gestures, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider sanctions for conduct offences.

While the men’s international team struggled to live up to expectations, the country found reason for optimism in its youth and emerging teams, as the Under-19 and emerging junior teams captured Asian Cup titles.

Pakistan’s Shaheens lifted the Rising Stars Asia Men’s Cup title in Doha, defeating Bangladesh A in a thrilling final that went down to a Super Over, marking Pakistan’s third triumph in the tournament.

The success was not limited to the Rising Stars title. In the 21st edition of the Hong Kong Sixes, Pakistan defeated Kuwait by 43 runs at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok.

The much-awaited glory of the year came in the U19 Asia Cup, where Pakistan cruised to a resounding 191-run victory over arch-rivals India in the final at the ICC Academy Ground. Opener Sameer Minhas starred with a record 172 — the highest individual score in an U19 Asia Cup final.

Khaki

Hockey in Pakistan has seen a sharp decline in recent decades, mainly due to administrative challenges, under-investment and inadequate infrastructure. However, renewed efforts are being made to restore national sports, with increased government support, youth development initiatives and greater international commitment aimed at returning Pakistan to its former glory.

This year, Pakistan’s hockey revival gained momentum at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, where the team reached the final of the FIH Nations Hockey Cup for the first time in 11 years, since their appearance in the 2014 Champions Trophy final in Bhubaneswar. The team performed admirably at the Nations Cup, eventually winning the silver medal.

The national team also appeared in the Pro Hockey League after several years, following New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the competition.

Athletics: Arshad’s golds

Pakistan’s biggest name in athletics continued to turn overseas appearances into podium finishes despite some setbacks.

Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem won the javelin gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea with a throw of 86.40m.

Later, he added another overseas victory at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, where he took the javelin gold with a throw of 83.05 meters.

In a year where Pakistan’s international sporting identity relied heavily on individuals, Arshad kept Pakistan visible in high-profile encounters.

Cue sports

Snooker is something Pakistan can always count on to deliver results. He again provided Pakistan with the most returns, delivering results across formats and age groups.

In Muscat, Oman, Muhammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal won the 2025 IBSF World Team Snooker Cup, beating Hong Kong (China-2) 3–2 in a return final to secure the team crown.

Bahrain has two happy moments: the established champion adding another major trophy and the next generation announcing itself.

In the final of the IBSF World Masters, Asif beat Brijesh Damani of India 4–3 to win the title. And in the under-17 category, Mohammad Hasnain Akhtar won the IBSF World Under-17 Snooker Championship, beating Riley Powell of Wales 4–0 in the final.

All in all, it was a rare full-spectrum year: a world team title, a major individual crown and a junior world champion.

Squash

Pakistan’s 2025 squash history was all about the results recorded on the road.

In London, Ontario, Noor Zaman won the 2025 Nash Cup, defeating Mustafa Elsirti of Egypt 3–0. The match turned into a marathon first game (19–17) before Zaman closed it out in straight games.

In the United States, Muhammad Ashab Irfan won the 2025 St Louis Open in Missouri, defeating England’s Charlie Lee 3–0 in the final (11–7, 11–2, 11–7). It was the kind of tour win that matters in the build-up: not a big moment, but repeated evidence that Pakistan’s players can travel and take titles.

Mountaineering: history

Away from conventional sports, Pakistan also registered a landmark achievement in high altitude climbing.

By summiting Kangchenjunga, Sirbaz Khan became the first Pakistani to complete all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters without supplemental oxygen, a world-class milestone that places him among a very small group worldwide.