Pakistan’s Champions Trophy run ended without a win after their match against Bangladesh was canceled due to rain. Both teams finished the tournament without victories. Criticism ensues for Pakistan due to injuries and pressure during key games, prompting a focus on learning and improvement. Bangladesh also reflects on their missed opportunities as they prepare for future matches.
Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy concluded without a win as their match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to heavy rain in Rawalpindi. This match, considered a dead rubber as both teams had failed to win their prior matches, was crucial for Pakistan, who were hosting the tournament for the first time in nearly three decades. The persistent rain left the ground unplayable, leading officials to call off the game nearly two hours after the scheduled start time, with the toss never taking place.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh ended their participation in the tournament without a win, sharing a single point from this match. The interruption caused frustration among fans hoping for play at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, especially following another washout involving South Africa and Australia earlier that week. Pakistan’s performance has faced significant criticism after suffering defeats to New Zealand and India, further compounding their disappointment.
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed the team’s discontent with their performance, emphasizing the high expectations from the fans. “We wanted to do well in front of our nation. The expectations are very high. We didn’t perform well and it is disappointing for us,” Rizwan stated. He urged the team to learn from their mistakes as they look ahead to their next series in New Zealand, expressing hope for better results.
Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood attributed the team’s struggles to injuries and excessive pressure, particularly during their match against India. He noted, “We haven’t played well in this tournament… we put a lot of pressure on ourselves against India.” Mahmood maintained that the team faces a learning curve and reassured fans to remain hopeful for the players’ development over time.
The loss of key players like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub due to injury disrupted the team’s dynamics. Rizwan acknowledged the impact of these injuries but emphasized the need for the entire team to adapt and improve. “We will learn from this,” he noted. The disappointment was palpable among players as they acknowledged the need for hard work to regain form and public trust.
Conversely, Bangladesh also concluded their tournament winless, reflecting on missed opportunities against India and New Zealand. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed disappointment with the rain preventing their final match but valued the team’s performance in earlier games. “I am very disappointed. We really wanted to play this match, but can’t do anything about the weather,” Shanto remarked. He hopes the players will take lessons from the experience and develop a stronger strategy moving forward as they work on their bowling unit.
In summary, Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign was marked by an inability to secure a win, culminating in a rain-abandoned match against Bangladesh. Both teams end the tournament winless and face reflections on their performances. Pakistan’s players and coaching staff emphasize the need to learn from their mistakes ahead of upcoming challenges. Meanwhile, Bangladesh seeks to regroup and strengthen their strategies for future competitions.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
