Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan need big improvement after damaging India loss, says Shakeel
The Hindu
Saud Shakeel urges improvement as Pakistan faces Champions Trophy exit after defeat to India in Dubai.
Top-order batsman Saud Shakeel said Pakistan must be better in every facet after a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India left the hosts on the brink of a Champions Trophy exit.
Shakeel top scored with 62 as Pakistan were dismissed for a below-par 241 in 49.4 overs in Sunday’s (February 23, 2025) blockbuster Group A clash.
Tournament favourites India overhauled the target in 42.3 overs with a masterly unbeaten 100 by Virat Kohli.
Pakistan are hosts of the one-day event but the match took place in Dubai in front of a packed 25,000 crowd after India refused to travel to their neighbour.
“We did not play well in all three departments and that is why this result has come and we have to accept this,” Shakeel told reporters.
Pakistan were lifted by a third-wicket stand of 104 between Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 46, but both fell in successive overs in the space of eight runs.
Shakeel said those wickets hurt Pakistan.
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