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Right then, everything that could go wrong for the defending Champions Trophy holders has gone wrong and Pakistan end an underwhelming campaign without a single win on the board but both Pakistan and Bangladesh will get a point each which doesn't really matter. This campaign should serve as a marker for the future for both sides and an imminent reshuffle seems to be on the cards, at least for Pakistan that is. Anyway, there's plenty of action still remaining in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as Group B is still open. Next up, it is the giant killers Afghanistan taking on Australia with a spot for the last 4 on the line. That game will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore where both these teams have already won a game but there's some forecast of rain in that game as well, not much though. That game will be at 9 am GMT on Friday, 28 February but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!

UPDATE - 10.31 am GMT - The worst we feared has happened, the match has been ABANDONED! The live visuals from the ground show that it is nearly flooded now with that latest heavy spell of rain and the umpires have taken an early but correct decision as any play today certainly looked near impossible.

UPDATE - 10.18 am GMT - Things have only gotten worse in Rawalpindi with the rain now lashing down. The hopes of getting this match underway are starting to fade away with every passing minute and we might get some official news soon. Stay tuned.

Even though today’s match is currently on hold due to rain, we can’t overlook the spectacular triumph Afghanistan achieved over England last evening. The English team entered the match as the favorite side, but Hashmatullah Shahidi and his talented squad defied the odds once again with a stunning performance that kept their semifinal dreams alive. In a nail-biting finish, Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as the hero by defending a challenging 13 runs in the final over. He astutely conceded only four runs while claiming the last wicket, igniting a wave of joy and pride among his teammates and supporters. This unforgettable display of composure under pressure will surely be etched in the annals of cricket history!

UPDATE - 9.38 am GMT - Unfortunately, it is still grey and gloomy in Rawalpindi and the conditions remain more or less the same. We started losing overs at around 10 am GMT in the last game, so, we are about half an hour away again from the game starting to get curtailed. Stick around for further updates.

UPDATE - 9.01 am GMT - It seems like not much has changed and visuals show that there is a light drizzle in Rawalpindi and the covers are staying on. With persistent rain over the last few days, there's plenty of water on the covers and the outfield and even if the weather improves now, it will take a fair bit of time to get the ground ready. It seems we are in for a long wait. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 8.32 am GMT - The drizzle seems to be playing hide and seek at the moment but it has stopped for now. Also, according to a few sources, there has been an official inspection scheduled for 9 am GMT and for now, the toss has been officially delayed.

UPDATE - 8.18 am GMT - According to a few sources, things are gloomy in Rawalpindi and there has already been a steady drizzle to begin the day. The teams have arrived at the venue and the umpires seem to be taking a stroll as well but for now, there are plenty of damp patches on the outfield. Let's wait and watch and hope that things start to clear up soon.

Pakistan has historically been dominant in their early encounters against Bangladesh, losing only five out of 39 One Day Internationals. With the added advantage of playing at home, they are in a strong position, although they still need to capitalize on that benefit. However, the weather forecast is a concern, with predictions of possible rain. Let’s hope for clear skies and an exciting full day of cricket!

On the flip side, Bangladesh has faced a somewhat similar situation to today’s opponents. In both of their previous matches, the batters struggled to put up a competitive total, failing to surpass the 240-run mark. This clearly indicates that the bowlers have been left with little to defend. However, in their last encounter against the Kiwis, the Tigers' bowlers showed resilience, securing early breakthroughs but ultimately faltering against the opposition’s middle order. Now, it’s crucial for the batters to step up collectively and seize the moment, as this is their final opportunity to silence the critics and make a powerful statement in the tournament. 

Pakistan has struggled to gain momentum since the ICC Champions League kicked off. The absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman from the playing XI has been a significant setback. Though they attempted to adjust their game plans to overcome these challenges, they haven’t managed to dig themselves out of a tough situation. Babar Azam from the top order and Khushdil Shah from the middle had a strong start in their first match against the Kiwis but failed to replicate that performance in their subsequent game. The bowling unit, featuring the talents of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, must step up and apply pressure on the opposition, especially after taking key wickets against the Bangla Tigers. Captain Mohammad Rizwan will need to rethink some strategies and leverage the advantages of playing at home. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a few fresh faces join the squad as they look to turn their fortunes around.

Greetings and a heartfelt welcome to all the cricket enthusiasts tuning in for the exciting build-up to match number 9 of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy - an exhilarating encounter that promises to thrill as the penultimate game of Group A unfolds! Here at the iconic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, two household Asian teams will go head-to-head in a quest to find some clarity and hoping to avoid the wooden spoon. While this match may not influence the standings, with India and New Zealand already securing their spots in the semifinals, every game is a chance for teams to showcase their skills and pride. Don’t miss out on the action!

... MATCHDAY ...

We are down to the penultimate game of Group A in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where tournament hosts Pakistan take on Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With both teams suffering back-to-back defeats, the semifinal spots have already been locked in by India and New Zealand. While this match won’t influence the tournament’s outcome, both sides will be eager to bow out on a high and restore some pride. The Mohammad Rizwan-led unit entered the tournament with high expectations, buoyed by impressive series wins in Australia and South Africa. However, injuries have severely disrupted their campaign. Saim Ayub’s ankle injury was an early setback, and Fakhar Zaman’s injury on the very second ball of the tournament only added to their woes. In their absence, the likes of Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan have struggled to take charge, often failing to put the opposition under pressure. Their much-vaunted pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah has also been inconsistent. While they lost control at the death against New Zealand, they simply didn’t have enough runs to defend against India. With nothing but pride at stake, Pakistan will be desperate to deliver a commanding performance and give their home crowd something to cheer about. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have shown flashes of resilience despite their struggles. Against India, they recovered from a precarious position to post a respectable total and made their opponents work hard for the chase, thanks to spirited performances from Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Rishad Hossain. Their match against New Zealand followed a similar script. Underwhelming returns from Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Tawhid Hridoy left them with another below-par score, but their bowlers once again showed grit in a spirited defence. As they head into their final group-stage fixture, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Co. will be determined to address their batting frailties and put together a more complete performance. Both sides have faced similar issues, particularly with their batting intent and their struggles to break free. With both teams playing for pride, expect a spirited contest in Rawalpindi. Who are you backing to finish on a high?