Pak captain Rizwan disappointed over result, sees crucial clash against India as 'normal match'

Karachi: Captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that Pakistan didn’t expect New Zealand to score 320 runs, considering the dominance they had shown after the first 20 overs in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi. The Champions Trophy made its return after over seven years, and it did so in style. New Zealand entertained the crowd with late fireworks in the first innings and capped it off with a superb bowling display to secure a 60-run victory.

New Zealand had to work hard for each run, with tight lengths from Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed keeping them under pressure. After losing Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell for just 73 runs, Pakistan had a firm grip on the match. However, Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107) formed a 118-run partnership to lead New Zealand’s remarkable comeback. Pakistan thought they had a breakthrough when Naseem forced Young to edge it to Faheem Ashraf.

But this was merely the calm before the storm, as Glenn Phillips provided explosive entertainment on the dry Karachi pitch. With a swashbuckling 61 off just 39 balls, Phillips helped New Zealand hammer 113 runs in the final 10 overs, taking their total to 320/5— a target Pakistan hadn't anticipated.

"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 crucial. We tried, but they played very smartly, and that’s why they got to that total. The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on early, but Will Young and Latham’s innings were crucial," Rizwan said in the post-match presentation.

It was a case of déjà vu for Pakistan when Phillips tore into the country’s famed pace trio in the final overs. It started with Shaheen Afridi conceding 18 runs in the 47th over, followed by Haris Rauf giving up 11 in the next. Shaheen returned for his final over, giving away 12, while Haris topped it off by conceding 14 runs, sealing yet another disappointing death over display.

"Our execution in the end overs was not good, and that's why they made that score," Rizwan reflected on Pakistan's performance in the death overs.

Before the late fireworks, Pakistan's troubles increased when explosive opener Fakhar Zaman had to leave the field just two deliveries into the match. He sprinted after the ball and managed to cut it off, palming it to Babar Azam for the return throw. However, he immediately showed signs of discomfort in his lower back and signalled for a substitution.

Despite walking back to the dressing room unaided by the physio, Fakhar had to leave the field to be assessed for a muscular sprain. Fortunately, he returned after New Zealand lost their second wicket in the ninth over.

He came out to bat after Rizwan, but struggled to run for singles and doubles. His injury affected his stroke play, and he eventually returned with a scratchy 24 off 41 balls.

"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," Rizwan added.

A loss in their next match against bitter rivals India on Sunday could potentially end Pakistan’s title defense in the tournament. With high stakes and pressure mounting, Rizwan emphasized that the next match would be just another "normal match" for Pakistan. "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," he said. | ANI