Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed disappointment over the team’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, finishing last in Group A with only one point. The loss of key players due to injury was acknowledged as a significant factor in their underwhelming performance. Looking ahead, Rizwan emphasized the need for improvement and expressed hope for better outcomes in the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed his disappointment following the team’s elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. After their last group stage match against Bangladesh ended in a washout, Pakistan finished at the bottom of Group A with only one point, having previously suffered defeats to New Zealand and India.
Rizwan acknowledged the impact of injuries to key players Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman on the team’s performance. He stated, “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,” highlighting the challenges faced due to the absence of these players.
Discussing the injuries, Rizwan noted, “The guy who has been performing for the last few months… the team was combined and then suddenly when someone is injured, the team will be disturbed.” He emphasized the need to learn from this experience, stating that while injuries affected the team, they would not serve as an excuse.
Rizwan also pointed out the necessity for improvements in various aspects of the team’s performance, particularly in the domestic circuit, asserting, “If we want to improve… we need awareness and professionalism.” This comment reflects his vision for raising Pakistan’s cricketing standards.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s next series is a tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20 internationals and three ODIs, starting March 16. Rizwan expressed hope for better outcomes in this upcoming series, aiming to apply lessons learned from their recent performances against New Zealand.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has left captain Mohammad Rizwan disappointed. He recognized the adverse effects of player injuries on the team’s overall performance and stressed the importance of improvement. While the team needs to learn from past mistakes, they look forward to the upcoming series in New Zealand, with hopes of a stronger performance.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
