NEW DELHI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said that his team’s hopes of winning the Champions Trophy had “ended” following a devastating defeat to fierce rivals India on Sunday.
Hosts Pakistan almost got eliminated from the race for the semi-finals after losing by six wickets in Dubai for their second loss in the 50-over competition.
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Pakistan’s destiny will be decided if New Zealand defeat Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday.
“Yes, I would say it has ended, that’s the truth,” Rizwan told reporters when asked if his side had reached the end of the road.
“The next match, what Bangladesh does with New Zealand and what New Zealand does with India. What we do? It’s a long journey. Our Champions Trophy depends on others and I as a captain I don’t like this.”
“If we could have done something on our own then it would have been different. We admit to our losses against New Zealand and India but don’t want to sit eyeing other results.”
Pakistan is hosting an ICC competition for the first time in almost thirty years since they co-hosted the 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
However, India declined to tour Pakistan and now play their matches at the Dubai International Stadium.
Despite a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Rizwan, Pakistan was bowled out for 241 in 49.4 overs after choosing to bat first in the crucial match.
On a slow wicket where it was hard to make strokes, India relied on Virat Kohli‘s undefeated 100 to reach the target with 45 balls to spare.
Although other bowlers leaked runs, Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed posted figures of 1-28 from his ten overs.
“We are disappointed, yes, because a defeat brings a tough day, facing difficult things and lots of questions,” said Rizwan. “Abrar Ahmed’s bowling was a positive but we made mistakes in all three departments.”
Khushdil Shah made 38 after Saud, who struck 62, and Rizwan, who made 46, left the middle order stuttering.
“Our middle-order has performed before and 270-280 would have been good on this pitch,” said Rizwan.
“I tried to build a partnership and took some time as well, we lost wickets and our shot selection was poor. In turn our middle-order crumbled.”
Rizwan claimed that mistakes are being made again after Pakistan’s defeat to New Zealand in the tournament’s opening match.
“Honestly we made the same mistakes that we have been doing since the last three-four matches,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.
“We are working on them but we are mortals and falling short. India probably worked harder than us and were brave. We lacked being brave and fell short in the field.”
Pakistan, who defeated India in the final to win the last Champions Trophy in 2017, will play Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
