Champions Trophy: Rizwan Acknowledges Disappointing Performance
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Synopsis
After Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, Captain Rizwan reflects on the team's struggles and emphasizes the need to learn from their mistakes as they prepare for upcoming matches in New Zealand.
Key Takeaways
- Rizwan admits team fell short of expectations.
- Injuries to key players affected team dynamics.
- Pakistan aims to improve in future matches.
- Need for greater professionalism in cricket.
- Learning from mistakes is crucial for future success.
Rawalpindi, Feb 27 (NationPress) Following the conclusion of Pakistan's final match in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which ended in a washout against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed his disappointment in his team’s performance throughout the tournament. As the hosts and reigning champions of the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan faced a dismal start, suffering a 60-run defeat to New Zealand and a six-wicket loss to India in Dubai, which eliminated them from semifinal contention.
"Our aim was to excel and show our best in front of our nation. There were high expectations, but we fell short, and it is disappointing for us. Every setback provides a learning opportunity. We have made errors in our recent games, and we hope to learn from them moving forward," remarked Rizwan.
“Next, we are heading to New Zealand, and we aim to improve on the mistakes made in the previous match against New Zealand here in Pakistan. We want to perform better there."
“There is a collective sense of disappointment among us. Our priority lies with Pakistan, and we are aware of the high expectations placed upon us. We acknowledge our shortcomings and are determined to work harder and return stronger,” Rizwan stated to broadcasters after the match with Bangladesh, which concluded with both teams sharing a point.
Rizwan also stated that injuries to Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman should not be solely blamed for the disarray in the team's combination. “Players who have been performing well in recent months across Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe contributed to a solid team structure. But injuries can disrupt that balance,” he explained.
“As a captain, one must consider all aspects. While it’s valid to feel that the team is unsettled, it cannot serve as an excuse. Yes, we missed Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub due to injuries, but we are committed to learning from this experience.”
In Group A, Pakistan finished at the bottom of the standings, largely due to Bangladesh's superior net run rate. When asked about the quality of the bench strength in the country, Rizwan asserted that Pakistan’s cricketing framework requires greater professionalism. “This is a challenging question. Evaluating the bench strength in Pakistan requires a look at the five teams in the Pakistan Cup,” he noted.
“We seek enhancements across various areas. For Pakistan to reach higher standards, we must foster awareness and professionalism. We can see potential in the Champions Cup, but further improvements are necessary,” he concluded.
