Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has urged his team to improve their fielding after their disappointing defeat against New Zealand in the final of the tri-nation ODI series at the National Bank Stadium.
Rizwan’s Post-Match Reflections
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rizwan acknowledged Pakistan’s weaknesses in the field:
“We need to improve our fielding. If we look at all three games, there is much room for improvement. This is one area where we have been lacking.”
With the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, Rizwan emphasized fielding as a key area of focus.
Batting Struggles and Tactical Decisions
The Pakistan captain also admitted that his team’s total was insufficient:
“We were 15 runs short of a defendable total. We aimed for 280, but their bowlers restricted us well.”
Reflecting on his own dismissal, Rizwan remarked:
“Agha and I were trying to build a partnership, but their bowlers didn’t give us many scoring opportunities. When I got out, it was a big blow.”
New Zealand’s Comfortable Chase
New Zealand chased down 243 with 28 balls to spare, thanks to key contributions:
- Kane Williamson (34) and Devon Conway (48) steadied the innings after an early setback.
- Mitchell and Latham’s 87-run partnership set the platform for victory.
- Glenn Phillips (20)* finished the chase.
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 242, with Rizwan top-scoring with 46. O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul and contributions from Santner and Bracewell helped New Zealand restrict Pakistan.
Head Coach Aqib Javed Backs Babar Azam as Opener
Pakistan head coach Aqib Javed has expressed his full support for Babar Azam to open the innings in upcoming matches.
“I believe Babar Azam should open in these conditions. I am hopeful he will play a big innings in an important match,” Aqib stated.
Pakistan’s Middle-Overs Strategy
Aqib highlighted the importance of the 11th-40th over phase in building partnerships.
“Losing early wickets puts pressure on the batsmen facing opposition spinners,” he explained.
He emphasized that if the top order remains intact, opposition spinners will have less impact.
Pitch Conditions and Tactical Adjustments
Discussing the match conditions, Aqib explained Pakistan’s decision to bat first:
“From the start, we could tell this pitch wasn’t one for big scores. If we had reached 270, the result could have been different.”
He emphasized the need for top-order batsmen to play longer innings.
Confidence in the Team’s Potential
Despite the loss, Aqib remains optimistic:
“This same team will perform very well in the Champions Trophy. Losing one or two matches doesn’t mean the team isn’t good enough. We have everything we need to be at the top.”
Team Balance and Player Selection
Aqib highlighted the importance of a balanced squad, with both spin and pace all-rounders.
- Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf provide balance in spin and pace.
- Khushdil Shah’s recent bowling performances have been impressive.
“Every team has a specialist spinner and an all-rounder. Khushdil has bowled well in both matches,” he added.
Looking Ahead: Fakhar and Babar’s Key Role
Aqib concluded by stressing the importance of a strong opening partnership:
“If Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam can form a solid partnership at the top, things will improve greatly.”
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fast approaching, Pakistan will need to address their fielding concerns, batting depth, and overall strategy to compete at the highest level.
