Pakistan Finishes Last in Champions Trophy After Rain-Soaked Match with Bangladesh
Pakistan’s final Champions Trophy group match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain, sealing their last-place finish in Group A without any victories. Both teams had already been eliminated from semi-finals contention. Captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed disappointment over expectations not being met, while Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto also shared his regrets about the weather interfering. As a result, India and New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals while Pakistan and Bangladesh ended with a single point each, with Bangladesh ahead on net run-rate.
In Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s final group match in the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh was abandoned due to persistent rain, marking an unfortunate conclusion to their title defense. The hosts, previous winners in 2017, faced defeats from New Zealand and India, culminating in a last-place finish in Group A, without a single victory.
This match held significance only for pride among both Pakistan and Bangladesh, as both teams were already eliminated from semi-finals contention. Captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, “The expectations were very high but we didn’t perform well and it is disappointing for us. We are upset and we are accepting that we didn’t do well. Hopefully, we will do more hard work and come back.”
Similarly, Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lamented the weather’s decision: “We really wanted to play this match but can’t do anything about the weather.” Ultimately, Pakistan finished the tournament in fourth place with just a solitary point, trailing behind Bangladesh, who also secured one point but possessed a superior net run-rate.
Despite various inspections by the umpires, the weather conditions prevented any play throughout the match. Consequently, India and New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals from Group A, while Group B continues to feature South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan competing for the remaining spots.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s performance in the Champions Trophy was markedly disappointing, failing to secure any wins throughout the tournament. The match against Bangladesh was washed out due to weather, leaving the team at the bottom of Group A. Both captains expressed their regret over the circumstances, highlighting the unfulfilled potential of their respective squads. Looking forward, there is a collective call for improvement and hard work from both teams.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
