RAWALPINDI (Kashmir English): Pakistan and Bangladesh will play each other in a battle for pride at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here today (Thursday) as both teams are already out of the contention for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Cricket had returned to Pakistan as a host of a big cricket evet after almost 30 years but its campaign ended in disappointment. They were knocked out of the tournament within just five days of the start of the mega event.
New Zealand’s wins against hosts Pakistan and touring Bangladesh sealed the fate of both the teams playing today. India made their way into the final four as well along with the Black Caps. Both Black Caps and Men in Blue have two wins from two games each in the tournament.
With no prospects ever for the Champions Trophy title, both Pakistan and Bangladesh would be aiming to sign off with a win.
The two teams go into their last fixture knowing the result doesn’t really matter.
The tournament didn’t feature pleasant memories for Pakistan and Bangladesh and they are likely to play for pride.
Pakistan’s top-order batters failed throughout the tournament so far with Fakhar Zaman out injured. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam even could not mark a difference despite having hit half-century each.
The story of Bangladesh hasn’t been too different. Their batting has not been able to go through the gears, with the lower order having to bail them out.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh conceded losses to India and New Zealand.
Early exit from Champions Trophy
Pakistan had waited for 29 years to host a major ICC event, and they are out of the race to the next round even before playing their last group game.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have played each other 39 times in a ODI cricket match. Out of these 39 encounters, Pakistan have won 34 whereas Bangladesh have come out victorious in only five occasions.
