Rain canceled the Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and Bangladesh on February 27, 2025. Both teams were already eliminated from the tournament, disappointing the host Pakistan, defending champion. Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood emphasized injuries and pressure as key factors in their lackluster performance across recent ICC events.
The much-anticipated Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and Bangladesh was ultimately abandoned due to incessant rainfall on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Despite a scheduled start time, the pitch remained covered throughout the day, leading umpires to call off the game at 3:30 p.m. local time, approximately 90 minutes after the original start time.
Both teams had already been eliminated from the tournament after facing defeats at the hands of the semifinalists from Group A, India and New Zealand. This was a particularly disheartening conclusion for Pakistan, hosting the event and entering as the defending champion. Notably, a concurrent match between South Africa and Australia in Rawalpindi was also rendered unplayable due to weather conditions.
New Zealand secured its place in the playoffs with a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh following their initial match where they triumphed over Pakistan by 60 runs. India also defeated both Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dubai to qualify for the semifinals.
This marks the third consecutive ICC tournament where Pakistan has failed to advance past the group stages, following disappointing performances in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup in 2024. Azhar Mahmood, the assistant coach for Pakistan, reflected on the team’s struggles, attributing some of their difficulties to injuries affecting key players, including Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub.
Mahmood noted, “It has been shocking for us that we have not performed well in ICC tournaments.” He emphasized that pressure during matches with India and New Zealand contributed to their underperformance, as evidenced by 308 dot balls played. He further stated, “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.”
The abandonment of the Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and Bangladesh due to rain highlighted ongoing challenges for both teams, particularly Pakistan, as they face consecutive failures in ICC tournaments. Injuries and pressure seem to have impacted their performance crucially. The insights from assistant coach Azhar Mahmood indicate a need for adaptation and accountability moving forward.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
