“For now, it’s over”: Mohammad Rizwan on Champions Trophy hopes

Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has acknowledged that his team’s prospects in the Champions Trophy have effectively ended following a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India on Sunday. This loss marks Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat in the tournament, severely diminishing their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

In the post-match press conference, Rizwan candidly assessed the situation: “For now, we can say that it’s over. This is the truth.” He expressed discomfort with relying on other teams’ performances for Pakistan’s progression, stating, “As a captain, I don’t like this scenario. We should have fate in our hands.”

Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled to build on a promising start, managing a total of 241 runs in 49.4 overs. Rizwan himself contributed 46 runs, while Saud Shakeel added 62. However, the middle order faltered under pressure, a point Rizwan highlighted: “We paid the price for not building on the initial momentum.”

India’s chase was anchored by Virat Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 100, leading his team to victory with six wickets in hand and 45 balls to spare. This defeat leaves Pakistan’s fate dependent on other match outcomes, a situation Rizwan finds unfavorable: “Our Champions Trophy depends on others, and as a captain, I don’t like this.”

Looking ahead, Pakistan faces Bangladesh in their final group match. However, their advancement hopes hinge on the results of other fixtures, particularly the performance of New Zealand against Bangladesh and India. Rizwan emphasized the importance of self-reliance, stating, “If you can win, then do it. If you can’t, then don’t worry about it.”

This early exit is a significant setback for Pakistan, especially as they are the tournament hosts and defending champions. The team will need to reflect on their performance and address the issues that led to their premature departure from the competition.