Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 began with disappointment as they suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy Opener Game. Despite early breakthroughs, Pakistan struggled to contain runs in the middle overs, allowing New Zealand to post a challenging total of 321. After the match, skipper Mohammad Rizwan addressed the team’s shortcomings, highlighting crucial mistakes that led to their loss.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Champions Trophy Opener Game
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rizwan admitted that the team underestimated New Zealand’s total. “We thought they would get around 260, but they ended up reaching 320 because of our poor execution in the final overs,” he said. He also credited Will Young and Tom Latham’s steady partnership, which shifted the momentum in New Zealand’s favor. Pakistan’s bowlers failed to restrict runs towards the end, making the chase even tougher.
Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered early, with key wickets falling in quick succession. Rizwan acknowledged that losing Fakhar Zaman early in the innings disrupted their chase. “We lost momentum twice—first in the death overs while bowling and then in the powerplay while batting,” he added.
Learning from Mistakes
Despite the loss, Rizwan emphasized that the team is not letting the pressure of being defending champions affect them. He urged his teammates to move forward with a fresh mindset for the next match, particularly their much-anticipated clash against India. “This match is gone, and the next match is another normal match for us,” Rizwan stated confidently. With a crucial fixture ahead, Pakistan now looks to rectify their mistakes and bounce back stronger in the tournament.
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