Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan addresses presser at Nationwide Stadium in Karachi on February 18, 2025, on the eve of their ICC Champions Trophy one-day worldwide match in opposition to New Zealand. — AFP Skipper says Pakistan suffered sufficient for very long time however received additionally.Provides Inexperienced Shirts might not have performed “on our abilities.”Hopes to have pacer Haris Rauf on pitch after chest muscle pressure.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan stated on Tuesday the Champions Trophy could be a “historic occasion” for the nation, a day earlier than the hosts kick the event off in opposition to New Zealand.
The Champions Trophy is the primary main cricket occasion hosted by Pakistan in almost three a long time and is thought to be second solely to the World Cup within the one-day sport.
Pakistan had been attributable to host the event in 2008 however was thrown into cricketing isolation by a safety disaster as violence spilled over from the long-running struggle in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Gunmen then attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka’s workforce in Lahore the next 12 months, wounding a number of gamers and killing eight policemen and civilians.
Nevertheless, main groups have toured Pakistan prior to now 5 years as safety improved, opening the way in which for the cricket-mad nation to stage the event.
“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” Rizwan stated.
Nonetheless, the build-up has not been with out issues after neighbours and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions. India will as a substitute play their matches in Dubai.
Pakistan’s opponents within the event opener in Karachi beat them twice this month throughout a tri-series occasion that included South Africa.
“There shouldn’t be any doubts on our performance,” Rizwan stated. “We may not have played on our abilities but we all want to win the event for the country and people.”
Rizwan hoped to have tempo bowler Haris Rauf on the pitch after he suffered chest muscle pressure within the match in opposition to New Zealand in Lahore final week.
“Haris bowled 80 per cent yesterday and today he is bowling at his full rhythm and told us that he is not feeling any discomfort, so I hope he is fully fit,” Rizwan stated.
