Pakistan concluded their Champions Trophy campaign without a win after their final match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to persistent rain. This washout occurred in Rawalpindi, where the team was hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in nearly three decades. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh were already out of contention for the trophy after previous losses.
Continuous heavy rain prevented any play, and the match was officially called off two hours after the scheduled start. This marks the second game in Rawalpindi this week to be cancelled due to rain, much to the disappointment of local fans.
As a result of the washout, both teams received a point each, concluding their tournament runs without a victory.
Pakistan’s performance in the tournament has drawn criticism, following defeats against New Zealand and India.
Pakistani captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed disappointment, saying, “We aimed to perform well for our nation and meet high expectations. Our poor performance is disheartening.”
Looking ahead, Rizwan stated, “We can learn from our mistakes. We made errors in recent matches and hope to improve. Our next matches are in New Zealand, and we aim to apply the lessons learned from our games in Pakistan to perform better there.”
Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood attributed Pakistan’s struggles to player injuries and excessive pressure, particularly in the match against India.
“We haven’t performed to our potential in this tournament. Despite playing well in this format previously, injuries have impacted our performance. Against India, we added unnecessary pressure,” Mahmood explained.
He acknowledged the need for improvement and player accountability. “We are aware of the areas we need to improve. It’s about adapting and taking responsibility. The results have surprised us.”
Mahmood urged continued support for the team, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent for future success. He noted that injuries to key players like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub disrupted the team’s campaign.
Rizwan added, “Injuries to in-form players like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have undoubtedly affected the team. While it’s a factor, it’s not an excuse. We must learn from this experience.”
He concluded, “We are deeply disappointed as we play for our nation. Pakistan is our priority, and expectations are high. We are upset with our performance and are committed to working harder and making a strong comeback.”
Bangladesh also faces reflection after a winless tournament, having lost to India and New Zealand.
Bangladeshi captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his disappointment at the washout, stating, “We really wanted to play, but the weather was beyond our control. We showed resilience in the previous matches, which is encouraging.”
Shanto added, “We hope to learn from our mistakes, plan effectively, and execute those plans.” He highlighted the progress of Bangladesh’s fast bowling unit, expressing optimism for their future performance.
