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NAPIER: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed his optimism about bouncing back in the series after a disappointing 73-run defeat in the first ODI against New Zealand here at McLean Park on Saturday.
Speaking in the post-match conference, Rizwan acknowledged Pakistan’s promising start in the chase but pointed out how they lost momentum in the crucial middle phase.
“We began the second innings with intent, executed our plans well, and were in a strong position. But as the pressure built up, we lost momentum in those three to four key overs, which ultimately cost us,” Rizwan stated.
He also credited the bowlers for their early breakthroughs, praising their adaptability to New Zealand’s conditions.
“Our bowlers were fantastic up front. They read the conditions well and executed their plans effectively. The decision to bowl first was the right one, but Chapman’s brilliant innings took the game away from us. We need to be better at capitalizing on key moments,” he added.
Mohammad Rizwan also highlighted the positives from the defeat, particularly the experience gained by the three debutants in the squad.
“Having three debutants in such conditions is a big learning experience. Playing in New Zealand is always challenging, and this exposure will help them grow,” he noted.
Despite the setback, the skipper remained hopeful of a turnaround in the remaining two matches.
“The result didn’t go our way, but we have two more games. We’ll regroup, work on our mistakes, and come back stronger,” Rizwan concluded.
READ: Mark Chapman, Nathan Smith lead New Zealand to victory in first ODI against Pakistan
