Lahore: Pakistan Team captain Mohammad Rizwan has given an explanation for Pakistan’s exit from the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. He has cited the absence of two team players Sam Ayub and Fakhar Zaman as the main reason for thier early exit from Champions Trophy. Both could not play in the tournament due to injury.
Ayub was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury before the tournament. While Fakhar was injured in the first match against New Zealand.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand in the first match of the league and India in the second match of the Champions Trophy. On Thursday, the last league match against Bangladesh was cancelled due to rain.
Rizwan said in an interview to the broadcaster after the match with Bangladesh was cancelled in Rawalpindi on Thursday, “We are all very disappointed. The countrymen had expectations from us. We are accepting that we did not perform well. Hopefully we will work harder and make a comeback.”
He further said that the absence of Sam Ayub and Fakhar Zaman disturbed the balance of the team. Both the players were performing well in Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe for the last few months. The team was balanced. Suddenly both of them got injured, due to which the team had to face problems.
Ayub was injured during the Test series on the South Africa tour
Sam Ayub was injured during the Test series on the South Africa tour just before the Champions Trophy. His ankle was twisted while stopping the ball in the second Test match. After this, he started groaning in pain and then he was immediately taken out of the ground on a stretcher. When he was leaving the ground, there were tears in his eyes. After initial treatment, he was seen walking with the help of crutches. He is undergoing treatment in England.
Fakhar Zaman was injured in the match against New Zealand
Fakhar Zaman was injured while fielding in the opening match played against New Zealand in Karachi. He suffered a muscle strain. After which he was ruled out of the tournament. Imam ul Haq was included in the team in his place.