Rizwan admits Champions Trophy dream ‘ends’

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted Sunday that his team´s Champions Trophy dreams had “ended” after a shattering loss to bitter rivals India.

Hosts Pakistan went down by six wickets in Dubai for their second defeat in the 50-over tournament to all but bow out of the semi-final race.

If New Zealand beat Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday, then Pakistan´s fate will be sealed. “Yes, I would say it has ended, that´s the truth,” Rizwan told reporters when asked if his side had reached the end of the road.

“The next match, what Bangladesh does with New Zealand and what New Zealand does with India. What we do? It´s a long journey. Our Champions Trophy depends on others and I as a captain I don´t like this.” “If we could have done something on our own then it would have been different. We admit to our losses against New Zealand and India but don´t want to sit eyeing other results.” Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in nearly three decades since the 1996 ODI World Cup, which they co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. India, however, refused to tour Pakistan due to political reasons and are playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium.

Pakistan elected to bat first in the crunch game but were bowled out for 241 in 49.4 overs despite a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Rizwan.

India rode on Virat Kohli´s unbeaten 100 to chase down the target with 45 balls to spare on a sluggish pitch where stroke-making was difficult. Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed returned figures of 1-28 from his 10 overs but other bowlers leaked runs.

“We are disappointed, yes, because a defeat brings a tough day, facing difficult things and lots of questions,” said Rizwan. “Abrar Ahmed´s bowling was a positive but we made mistakes in all three departments.”

After Saud, who hit 62, and Rizwan, who made 46, departed the middle-order stuttered with only Khushdil Shah hitting a late cameo with his 38. “Our middle-order has performed before and 270-280 would have been good on this pitch,” said Rizwan. “I tried to build a partnership and took some time as well, we lost wickets and our shot selection was poor. In turn our middle-order crumbled.”

Pakistan lost the tournament opener to New Zealand and Rizwan said mistakes are being repeated. “Honestly we made the same mistakes that we have been doing since the last three-four matches,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

“We are working on them but we are mortals and falling short. India probably worked harder than us and were brave. We lacked being brave and fell short in the field.”

Pakistan, who won the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017 after beating India in the final, next play Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Thursday.