Pakistan’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign ended without a win, following defeats by New Zealand and India, and a match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain. Captain Mohammad Rizwan and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood cited injuries and pressure as critical issues affecting the team’s performance. Bangladesh also finished the tournament winless, expressing disappointment over their lack of victories as well.
Pakistan’s performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy was disastrous, resulting in early elimination after losses to New Zealand and India. Their match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to heavy rain, marking a disappointing end to their campaign. Pakistan, hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, concluded without a single win, sharing points with Bangladesh as both teams failed to secure any victories throughout the tournament.
Weather conditions contributed to the abandonment of the Bangladesh match, with officials calling it off two hours after the scheduled start due to persistent rain that soaked the ground. The match, rendered irrelevant as both teams were already out of the semifinal race, frustrated fans who had turned out hoping to see live cricket at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed disappointment over the team’s poor performance, emphasizing the high expectations from fans. Commenting on future improvements, he noted, “We wanted to do well… but we didn’t perform well and it is disappointing for us,” acknowledging that they need to learn from their mistakes for upcoming tournaments, especially during their next series against New Zealand.
Pakistan’s assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, pointed out injuries to key players as a significant contributor to their struggles, stating, “We haven’t played well in this tournament.” He stressed the importance of relieving pressure during crucial matches, particularly against rivals India, indicating that excessive stress impacted their performance.
Injuries to key players such as Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub negatively affected team dynamics. Rizwan recognized this as a challenge but also stated that it cannot be an excuse for failure. He urged the players to remain focused and committed to improving for the future.
Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, echoed similar sentiments about disappointment in their campaign, expressing regret over the weather conditions that prevented the match from taking place. He highlighted the team’s need to strategize better and build on their skills, particularly in fast bowling, which has seen improvements with the emergence of promising players.
The Pakistan cricket team faced a disappointing 2025 Champions Trophy campaign with no wins, leading to early elimination and frustration among fans. Both the captain and coach identified key factors, including injuries and pressure, that impacted their performance. Bangladesh also shared similar struggles without securing victories. Both teams will need to reflect on their experiences and strategize for future events to improve their performances.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
