Pakistan ended their Champions Trophy campaign winless as their match against Bangladesh was called off due to rain in Rawalpindi. The match was redundant for both sides, having already lost their previous games. Criticism arose for Pakistan’s poor performance, with injuries cited as a contributing factor. Bangladesh also finished the tournament without a win.
Pakistan’s participation in the Champions Trophy concluded without a victory, as their match against Bangladesh was abandoned without play due to relentless rain in Rawalpindi. The match, already deemed inconsequential for both teams following previous defeats, saw Pakistan’s hopes of a strong showing evaporate. Despite hosting the ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, the team finishes their campaign winless, leaving fans and officials disappointed. The persistent rain resulted in soaked grounds, and conditions did not improve by the scheduled start time, leading to the match’s cancellation almost two hours later.
This was the second match in Rawalpindi to face rain abandonment, echoing the earlier cancellation of the encounter between South Africa and Australia. Consequently, both Pakistan and Bangladesh ended the tournament with no victories, sharing a single point each. Criticism has been directed at Pakistan’s lackluster performance, highlighted by defeats to New Zealand and India. Captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed deep disappointment, stating, “We wanted to do well and perform well in front of our nation. The expectations are very high. We didn’t perform well and it is disappointing for us.”
Reflecting on their future, Rizwan acknowledged the importance of learning from mistakes and emphasized the upcoming series in New Zealand as an opportunity for improvement. Pakistan’s assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, cited injuries to key players as a factor in their performance, remarking, “We haven’t played well in this tournament” and acknowledged the pressure faced during crucial matches. He urged fans to maintain faith in the team’s potential, asserting the need for continuity among identified talents.
The absence of top players such as Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub due to injuries disrupted the team’s strategy, with Rizwan admitting that while injuries affected performance, the team must learn and strive for better outcomes. Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, also expressed disappointment over their unfulfilled aspirations, stating, “I am very disappointed. We really wanted to play this match, but can’t do anything about the weather.” He reinforced the need for improvement and preparation for future challenges, recognizing the progress in their fast bowling department.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy ended without a single win, marked by a match cancellation due to rain. The team’s performance garnered criticism, emphasizing injuries and match pressure as key factors. Bangladesh similarly concluded the tournament winless and expressed a need for reflection and improvement. Both teams must assess their strategies and preparations moving forward in their respective cricketing journeys.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
