Pakistan national cricket team. | (Credits: PCB X)
The format of the Champions Trophy makes it tougher for any team to qualify for the semi-finals even if one misstep takes place. Pakistan find themselves in a similar situation after a crushing 60-run loss to New Zealand in their opening game and are in a strife ahead of facing India. However, it’s worth pondering whether Pakistan will be knocked out if they lose again.
Pakistan are at the bottom of Group A as their net run-rate is -1.200 due to a heavy defeat to New Zealand, while Bangladesh are above them with -0.408 despite losing to India. Should the defending champions lose to India, their tournament is virtually over since New Zealand are overwhelming favourites to beat Bangladesh. Nevertheless, the group will be blown wide open if Pakistan win against India, who will face a tough assignment to beat the Black Caps to go through to the semi-finals.
While Pakistan will fancy their chances against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, the latter cannot be taken lightly due to their remarkable fightback against India despite being 35-5 at one stage while batting. However, Mohammad Rizwan and co. will be alive in the eight-team tournament even if Bangladesh manages to score an upset win over the Kiwis on February 24 and Pakistan lose to India.
“The focus is to utilize the conditions in the best possible way” – Haris Rauf
Pakistan pacer Rauf, who took figures of 10-0-83-2 against New Zealand, suggested that Pakistan will take confidence from their previous two outings against India in Dubai, which resulted in wins (T20 World Cup 2021 and Asia Cup 2022). As quoted by ASports, he claimed on Friday:
“No doubt, we have defeated India twice at this venue, and we will try to play the same kind of cricket that helped us win those matches. Many of the boys are confident that it will be a good game. The record here is quite good, but in the end, it all depends on what the conditions demand. Sometimes, it turns into a spin-friendly track, but the focus is to utilize the conditions in the best possible way.”
The two sides were also the finalists of the 2017 edition and the Men in Green had won it.
