Media365
NEW DELHI: The Champions Trophy match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh on Thursday was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to relentless rain.
In their first ICC tournament on home soil in 29 years, Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment, failing to secure a single victory.
Bangladesh also wrapped up their winless run, heading home with plenty to reflect on.
Both teams will share a point from the abandoned fixture.
Pakistan have faced heavy criticism for their underwhelming performance, which included a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India in Dubai.
This is the second washout in Rawalpindi during the tournament, following the abandoned match between South Africa and Australia earlier this week.
This marks the third consecutive ICC tournament where Pakistan has failed to progress beyond the first round, following their early exits in the 2023 ODI World Cup and last year’s T20 World Cup.
“It’s been shocking for us that we haven’t play well in ICC tournaments,” Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood said.
Mahmood pointed out that injuries to opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub had a significant impact, as Pakistan’s batters played a staggering 308 dot balls in their completed matches against India and New Zealand.
“We have played good cricket in this format, but in this tournament it has not gone well because of injuries,” Mahmood said. “Against India we took a lot of pressure on ourselves, but we know where we need to improve. It is all about adapting and taking responsibility.”
