KARACHI: Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan opened up after a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the first ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 match at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
While speaking at the post-match presentation, Rizwan highlighted the Men in Green’s lack of ability to execute plans, especially in the last overs of the innings.
The wicket-keeper batter also stated that his team was not expecting New Zealand to achieve the 300-run mark.
“I think they made a very good target, we didn’t expect they would get 320. We thought around 260 when we took early wickets. The Will Young-Latham partnership was pivotal,” said Rizwan.
He said we tried, but the Black Caps played smartly, reaching a formiddable total.
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“We tried, but they played very smartly and that’s why they got to that total. The pitch was not easy to bat early on. Our execution in the end overs was not good, and that’s why they made that score,” he said.
Mohammad Rizwan also provided an update on Fakhar Zaman’s injury, stating that he was crucial for the run-chase.
“Let’s see what the result from the [scan] is. We lost momentum twice, first in the death overs and then in the powerplay with the bat. Losing Fakhar Zaman [as opener] was crucial,” stated Rizwan.
Rizwan also admitted that the defending champions’ tag did affect him, as we will take the upcoming match against arch-rivals India as normal.
“We didn’t want to put pressure on ourselves by thinking we are defending champions. This match is gone, and the next match is another normal match for us.”
Earlier, Will Young and Tom Latham’s centuries and clinical bowling performance propelled New Zealand to a comprehensive victory against Pakistan by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
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