Rawalpindi: The writing was on the wall after their comprehensive defeat at the hands of India in Dubai. On Monday, Pakistan’s ouster from the Champions Trophy was confirmed after New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
India and New Zealand, courtesy of two wins each, sealed their semifinal berths from Group A. They will clash against each other on March 2 in Dubai to decide which team tops the group.
Hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh, without a point after two matches each, will face off at this venue on February 27 with nothing but pride to play for.
For Pakistan’s slim hopes to be kept alive, New Zealand had to lose on Monday.
That didn’t happen as New Zealand restricted Bangladesh to 236/9 and then rode Rachin Ravindra’s 112 (105 balls, 12×4, 1×6) to chase down the target with 23 balls to spare.
The last time the Champions Trophy was held, eight years ago in the UK, Pakistan emerged winners thrashing India by 180 runs in the final at the Oval.
Elimination in the group stage this time will be a bitter pill to swallow for Pakistan, especially as they are co-hosting the tournament with the UAE.
