Pakistan's national cricket team experienced another setback as their game against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy was abandoned due to persistent rain in Rawalpindi. This marks the third consecutive ICC tournament where Pakistan has failed to advance beyond the first round. The team's previous struggles were evident in the 2023 50-over ODI World Cup and last year's T20 World Cup, both of which saw Pakistan exit in the early stages.
Rain played a crucial role in the final group-stage match between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The match was scheduled to begin on Thursday, but the square remained under covers all day due to continuous rainfall. Eventually, umpires called off the game at 3:30 pm local time, an hour and a half after its intended start.
Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan's assistant coach, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance in recent ICC tournaments.
“It’s been shocking for us that we haven’t played well in ICC tournaments,” said Azhar Mahmood.
He pointed out that injuries to key opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub had significantly impacted their performance. Additionally, Mahmood noted that the team played 308 dot balls in completed games against India and New Zealand, indicating a need for improvement in their offensive strategy.
The match against India, held earlier in the tournament, was completed despite the challenges. Pakistan faced significant pressure during this game, which contributed to their subpar performance.
“Against India, we took a lot of pressure on ourselves, but we know where we need to improve. It is all about adapting and taking responsibility,” Mahmood remarked.
India's victories over both Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dubai secured their place in the semifinals, further emphasizing the competitive nature of this year's tournament.
