Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan throughout a press convention at Nationwide Financial institution Stadium, Karachi, on February 18, 2025. — ReutersRizwan says Pakistan did not capitalise on toss benefit.Credit India’s bowlers for disciplined efficiency.Pakistan to play remaining group match towards Bangladesh on twenty seventh.
Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted his facet’s shortcomings in all departments, significantly in fielding, which not solely introduced defeat towards arch-rivals India but in addition despatched their sides on the verge of exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following consecutive defeats.
Rizwan shared his ideas after his facet’s defeat within the high-octane match on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium.
Talking on the post-match press convention, Rizwan admitted that Pakistan did not capitalise on the toss benefit and credited India’s bowlers for his or her disciplined efficiency.
“We won the toss, but we didn’t get the benefit of it. Their bowlers bowled very well. Saud Shakeel and I wanted to take the game deep, but our shot selection let us down. They put us under pressure,” Rizwan said.
“Whenever you lose, it means you didn’t perform well in all departments. We wanted to squeeze them, but we couldn’t. Kohli and Gill batted very well and took the game away from us. We need to improve in our fielding as we made a lot of mistakes,” he added.
It’s pertinent to say that Pakistan’s defeat towards India marked their second consecutive loss within the event, having earlier suffered a 60-run defeat by the hands of New Zealand of their opening match in Karachi.
Pakistan struggled to publish a aggressive whole, managing solely 241 runs earlier than getting bowled out within the remaining over, regardless of a combating half-century by Saud Shakeel.
Pakistan’s new opening pair, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, offered a gentle begin, including 41 runs.
Nevertheless, Hardik Pandya struck an important breakthrough by dismissing Babar, who departed after scoring 23 off 26 balls, hitting 5 boundaries.
Imam, making his return to the nationwide workforce, did not construct on his cautious begin and was run out by Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan at 47/2 in 9.2 overs.
Rizwan contributed 46 off 77 balls, that includes three boundaries, earlier than being bowled by Axar Patel within the thirty fourth over. Saud top-scored for Pakistan with 62 off 76 balls, hitting 5 fours, earlier than departing eight deliveries later.
India tightened their grip when Ravindra Jadeja eliminated Tayyab Tahir (4), lowering Pakistan to 165/5 in 36.1 overs.
Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah tried a quick restoration, including 35 runs. Nevertheless, Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in fast succession, additional denting Pakistan’s progress.
Khushdil managed 38 off 39 balls, hitting two sixes, whereas Naseem Shah (14) and Haris Rauf (8) made small contributions in the direction of the tip.
Chasing 242, India secured a snug victory with 4 wickets down and 45 balls to spare. A match-winning 114-run stand between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer sealed the deal for India.
Kohli was the star performer, scoring his 51st ODI century, remaining unbeaten on 100 off 111 balls, hitting seven fours. Shreyas Iyer additionally performed an important knock, scoring 56 off 67 balls with 5 boundaries and a six.
For the unversed, Pakistan will play their remaining group match towards Bangladesh at Rawalpindi on February 27.
