With Sunday’s six-wicket loss to India, Pakistan captain Muhammad Rizwan has acknowledged that his team’s Champions Trophy season is over. “We can declare it to be over for the time being. The captain of Pakistan stated, “This is the reality.”
Despite losing their opening two league games, Pakistan is still in the tournament. Before their last league match against Bangladesh on February 27, they need to win a few of other games. They urgently need Bangladesh to defeat New Zealand on Monday, which is doubtful.
Rizwan said he does not like progressing through the back door. “As a captain, I honestly don’t like this. If you can win, then do it. If you can’t, then don’t worry about it. I don’t care if you are sitting in someone else’s shadow.
“I don’t care if you are outside the tournament or in it. Yes, New Zealand has defeated us; India has defeated us. We accept it. We can play well; we can play badly. We can’t say that we should stay on someone else’s side. Allah has made this a chance, we can’t say anything about it.”
He continued on the topic. “In the next match, we’ll see what Bangladesh does with New Zealand, what New Zealand does with India, and what we do. It’s a long journey. Yes, we have hope and belief in Allah. Our dependence on the Champions Trophy has now come on other teams.” Pakistan are the defending champions.
At one point, Rizwan and Saud’s 104-run third-wicket stand had Pakistan at 151 for two. The team lost steam when they were split apart, though, and was ultimately bowled out for 241.
