Mohammad Rizwan, the captain of Pakistan, expressed disappointment following the team’s elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan finished last in Group A with only one point after the final match against Bangladesh was abandoned. The absence of key players due to injuries impacted their performance, and Rizwan highlighted the need for improvements as they prepare for their upcoming series against New Zealand.
Following Pakistan’s exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed disappointment regarding the team’s performance. The tournament, held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, saw Pakistan finish at the bottom of Group A after their final match against Bangladesh was washed out. They concluded the tournament with only one point, having suffered losses to New Zealand and India before being eliminated from semi-final contention.
Rizwan attributed the team’s struggles to the missing key players Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, both sidelined due to injuries. “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,” stated Rizwan. He acknowledged that injuries disrupted the team’s balance but emphasized that it should not be used as an excuse for their shortcomings.
Ayub, a significant contributor to Pakistan’s previous ODI successes, was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury in a Test series, while Zaman exited the competition due to an oblique muscle strain suffered in the initial match against New Zealand. Rizwan commented on the need for improvements in the team’s overall structure and domestic cricket to elevate the national standard.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to tour New Zealand for a series that includes five T20I matches and three ODIs beginning March 16. Rizwan expressed a desire for the team to learn from past mistakes, stating, “We have made mistakes in the last few games. Hopefully, we can learn from these.” The captain conveyed optimism for the upcoming matches in New Zealand, aiming to enhance their performance based on earlier experiences.
In summary, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed regret over the team’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, attributing difficulties to injuries. He emphasized the importance of learning from their failures and aimed to improve moving forward, particularly in light of their upcoming series in New Zealand. Rizwan’s comments reflect a commitment to enhancing the team’s standards and performances in future competitions.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
