A rain-soaked Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi sees both Pakistan, the hosts and defending champions, and Bangladesh eliminated from the tournament without a ball being bowled in their final group-stage encounter. Incredible downpour led to the abandonment of the fixture, culminating in a disappointing farewell performance for both teams, especially Pakistan, who has not advanced past the grouping phase in three consecutive ICC events. Despite the squelch, New Zealand secured playoff eligibility with their triumphant performance over Bangladesh, while injury-riddled Pakistan and India’s dual wins painted a grim picture for the defending title-holders and their South Asian neighbors. The persistent weather, also responsible for the South Africa-Australia washout, left a mark on the tournament, disappointing fans who had been eagerly anticipating the matches. Pakistan’s assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, acknowledged their struggling form and hinted at the need for adaptation and better injury management to ensure future tournament success.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/2/27/pakistan-end-home-champions-trophy-without-win-after-rawalpindi-washout?traffic_source=rss
