Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has emphasized the need for better fielding after his team’s loss in the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rizwan admitted that fielding had been a weak point throughout the series. “We need to improve our fielding. Across all three games, there was much room for improvement,” he said, stressing the importance of sharpening their skills ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Also Read: Rizwan Registers Multiple Unwanted Records in First South Africa T20I
Rizwan also felt Pakistan’s total of 242 was insufficient. “We were 15 runs short of a defendable total. We aimed for 280, but their bowlers restricted us well,” he explained.
New Zealand chased down the target comfortably with 28 balls to spare, thanks to solid contributions from Devon Conway (48), Daryl Mitchell (58), and Tom Latham (47).
Aqib backs Babar as opener
Pakistan head coach Aqib Javed has backed Babar Azam to open the innings, believing it will help him play big knocks in key matches.
He also stressed the importance of batting between the 11th and 40th overs, explaining that early wickets put pressure on Pakistan’s middle order against spinners. “If the top order stays intact, spinners won’t dominate as much,” he said.
Aqib remains confident in the team’s potential for the Champions Trophy, dismissing concerns over recent losses. “This team has everything it needs to be at the top,” he assured.
He also praised Khushdil Shah’s all-round performance and emphasized the need for variety in the squad. “Every team needs a specialist spinner and an all-rounder, and Khushdil has performed well,” he noted.
Aqib concluded by saying that a strong opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam could make a significant difference.
