Pakistan ended their Champions Trophy campaign winless, with their match against Bangladesh canceled due to rain. Both teams left the tournament without victories, and criticism was directed at Pakistan for their poor performance. Players and coaches expressed disappointment and a commitment to learn from challenges as they prepare for future competitions.
In the Champions Trophy, Pakistan concluded their campaign without securing a win, as their match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to relentless rain in Rawalpindi. This match turned out to be inconsequential, confirming both teams’ exit from the tournament after failing to achieve victories in their earlier games. Pakistan was hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in three decades, and their lossless record was disheartening for both players and fans alike.
Despite hopes for a positive end to the tournament, the match was called off as the weather remained unfavorable, with persistent rain leaving the ground unsuitable for play. Match officials decided to cancel the game nearly two hours past the scheduled start, resulting in both teams sharing one point, but finishing without a win. This marked the second time in the tournament in Rawalpindi where a match was abandoned without a ball being bowled, following a similar incident involving South Africa and Australia earlier in the week.
The unfortunate weather proved disappointing for home fans eagerly anticipating the match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Throughout the tournament, Pakistan faced criticism for their performance, notably suffering defeats to New Zealand and India. Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed the team’s 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.”
In addressing the future, Rizwan emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes, noting, “Hopefully, we can learn from these.” He mentioned their upcoming series in New Zealand, expressing hope for improved performances. Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood attributed the team’s struggles to injuries and pressure during critical matches, particularly in their match against India, saying, “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves playing against India.”
Mahmood acknowledged the challenges faced, particularly due to injuries to key players like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, which disrupted the team’s cohesion. Rizwan acknowledged this disruption but held no excuses, affirming a commitment to improve. He reflected on the overwhelming disappointment felt by the team and pledged to work harder for future success.
On the other hand, Bangladesh concluded their campaign without a victory and are left to reflect on their performances. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed disappointment at missing the opportunity to play, stating, “I am very disappointed. We really wanted to play this match, but can’t do anything about the weather.” Shanto expressed hope for improvement in future matches and confidence in their fast bowling unit, attributing past struggles to their lack of effectiveness.
In summary, Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign ended without a win, marked by a rain-abandoned match against Bangladesh. Both teams left the tournament reflecting on their lack of success, with criticism directed at Pakistan for their poor performance. Leadership expressed a desire to learn from mistakes and regroup for future matches. Bangladesh, similarly, seeks to build on recent experiences as they develop their team for upcoming challenges.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
