Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan want large enchancment after damaging India loss, says Shakeel

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel performs a shot throughout a One Day Worldwide (ODI) cricket match of the ICC Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan, at Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium, in Dubai, UAE, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
| Picture Credit score: PTI

Prime-order batsman Saud Shakeel stated Pakistan have to be higher in each side after a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India left the hosts getting ready to a Champions Trophy exit.

Shakeel prime scored with 62 as Pakistan have been dismissed for a below-par 241 in 49.4 overs in Sunday’s (February 23, 2025) blockbuster Group A conflict.

Event favourites India overhauled the goal in 42.3 overs with a masterly unbeaten 100 by Virat Kohli.

Pakistan are hosts of the one-day occasion however the match befell in Dubai in entrance of a packed 25,000 crowd after India refused to journey to their neighbour.

“We didn’t play properly in all three departments and that’s the reason this end result has come and we’ve to just accept this,” Shakeel advised reporters.

Pakistan have been lifted by a third-wicket stand of 104 between Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 46, however each fell in successive overs within the area of eight runs.

Shakeel stated these wickets damage Pakistan.

“We’re shedding wickets in bunches and aren’t constructing large partnerships,” he stated. He added: “After we have been batting the pitch performed sluggish. We tried to bat deep however it didn’t occur.

“I’m certain followers will probably be upset, identical to we’re.”

The defeat left Pakistan on the backside of Group A with two losses in as many video games. They now want different outcomes to go of their favour to stay in competition for the semi-finals.

“Some issues didn’t go in our favour,” stated spinner Abrar Ahmed, however agreed with Shakeel. “We’ve to vary numerous issues inside the group.

“This event is like that — you exit in the event you lose one match. We’ve to enhance our batting and should do extra work on bowling.”

Pakistan face Bangladesh of their final group match in Rawalpindi on Thursday, however each will already be eradicated if Bangladesh lose to New Zealand in a while Monday.

Pakistan is internet hosting a serious worldwide cricket event for the primary time in almost three a long time.