Mohammad Rizwan
In the aftermath of Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, captain Mohammad Rizwan has candidly addressed the team’s underwhelming performance. The defending champions concluded their campaign without a single victory, a stark contrast to the high expectations set by fans and the cricketing community.
A Campaign Marred by Defeats and Disruptions
Pakistan’s journey in the tournament began on a challenging note with a 60-run defeat to New Zealand. Despite early breakthroughs, the team struggled to contain the Kiwi batsmen, allowing them to post a formidable total. The subsequent match against arch-rivals India added to Pakistan’s woes. Opting to bat first, Pakistan managed a modest 241 runs, which India chased down with relative ease, thanks to an unbeaten century by Virat Kohli. The final group-stage match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to persistent rain in Rawalpindi, leaving Pakistan at the bottom of Group A with just one point.
Injuries and Team Dynamics
The team’s struggles were compounded by injuries to key players. Young opener Saim Ayub, who had been instrumental in recent series, sustained an ankle injury during the Test series against South Africa, ruling him out of the tournament. Additionally, Fakhar Zaman suffered an oblique muscle strain during the opening match against New Zealand, further disrupting the team’s batting lineup. Reflecting on these setbacks, Rizwan stated, “The team was combined, and then suddenly when someone is injured, the team will be disturbed. As a captain… this is no excuse. Yes, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were injured, but we will learn from this.”
Addressing the Middle-Order Collapse
A significant concern throughout the tournament was the inconsistency of Pakistan’s middle order. In the crucial match against India, after a promising 104-run partnership between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, the middle order faltered, leading to a subpar total. Rizwan acknowledged this issue, noting, “The middle order wasn’t good enough… Saud and I tried to build a partnership and took a lot of time, but after that, the shot selection was poor.”
Looking Ahead: Lessons and Reforms
Despite the disappointing outcome, Rizwan emphasized the importance of introspection and growth. He highlighted the need for enhanced professionalism and game awareness within the team. “If we want to see ourselves among the top teams, we need to improve in various aspects like professionalism and game awareness,” he remarked.
The captain also expressed a desire to move beyond reliance on other teams’ performances to advance in tournaments. “As a captain, I don’t like this (depending on other teams). If you’re good enough, you show it by winning and keeping things in your hands,” Rizwan asserted.
The Road Ahead: Tour of New Zealand
Looking forward, Pakistan is set to embark on a white-ball series in New Zealand, comprising five T20 and three ODIs. Rizwan conveyed optimism about the upcoming tour, stating, “We have made mistakes in the last few games. Hopefully, we can learn from these. We are next going to New Zealand, and hopefully, we can perform there.”
