Semifinal Hopes Almost Over for Pakistan
Dubai: Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan has acknowledged his team’s defeats against New Zealand and India in the league stage of the Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rizwan admitted that both teams played better cricket and expressed his disappointment over Pakistan’s dwindling chances of making it to the semifinals.
“I do not like relying on other teams to qualify for the semifinals,” Rizwan stated. “Right now, we have nothing in our hands. The reality is that our fate is now dependent on other teams. We will have to see what happens when Bangladesh plays New Zealand and how India faces New Zealand. But honestly, as a captain, I do not like this situation at all.”
Pakistan’s Qualification Scenario Looks Bleak
With Pakistan’s semifinal chances hanging by a thread, Rizwan openly admitted that the team underperformed. “New Zealand defeated us, India defeated us. We accept it. They played well, and we played poorly. We cannot claim otherwise. Now, we are just dependent on others, and if Allah wills, we might get a chance, but it’s out of our control.”
For Pakistan to make it to the semifinals, a highly unlikely sequence of events needs to unfold:
- Bangladesh must defeat New Zealand in a close match.
- Pakistan must then defeat Bangladesh by a huge margin.
- India must thrash New Zealand, ensuring Pakistan’s net run rate surpasses both New Zealand and Bangladesh.
With Pakistan’s destiny no longer in their hands, Rizwan’s frustration is evident. The team now waits for other results, hoping for an improbable turnaround to keep their Champions Trophy 2025 journey alive.
