RAWALPINDI, Feb 26 (Agencies): The sun played hide and seek on an otherwise dark and gloomy Wednesday afternoon as Pakistan players got into training ahead of its final group league fixture against Bangladesh.
But another round of drizzle forced the players to abruptly end their football session and rush to the dressing room, before eventually calling off the session. Having already crashed out of the Champions Trophy, it's pride at stake for both Pakistan and Bangladesh in a dead rubber at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and as Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed points out, his team wants to move on and sign off from the campaign on a winning note. Rain washed out the Australia-South Africa Group B match on Tuesday and more is predicted on Thursday, leaving Pakistan in danger of finishing fourth and last on net run-rate.
Whatever happens it will be a disappointing conclusion to Pakistan's first hosting of a major international cricket competition in three decades.
"There are no excuses, there shouldn't be any in life, but I can assure you that the players are more hurt than the fans and want to leave a mark in the last game," said Aaqib on Wednesday.
The groundstaff covered the square throughout and was confident of getting the game going if there were no further rains. But even if the game goes ahead as per schedule, it will be a challenge for the players from both teams to motivate themselves and get into the groove. At a time when teams are easily breaching the 350-run mark in the 50-over format, Pakistan and Bangladesh have regressed.
While Pakistan's shaky batting order struggled against New Zealand and India, the same opponents gave Bangladesh a drubbing.
Though Bangladesh fast bowlers, led by Nahid Rana, have been able to make some noise with some fiery spells, Pakistan bowlers - Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah - have failed to make an impact. Having struggled in all facets of the game, it has been a forgettable campaign for Pakistan.
A week ago, the excitement was palpable as a global event returned to the country after nearly three decades, but with Pakistan's underwhelming performances, the fans have nothing to write home about.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Bangladesh's formality Champions Trophy match is likely to be marred by rain tomorrow (Thursday) as the Met Office forecast more rain for the next two days.
Both the teams stayed inside hotel rooms as the scheduled training session at the Islamabad Club Ground was also ruined by continuous rain on Tuesday. The forecast is even heavier for the next two days than the one we witnessed on Tuesday.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have yet to open their account on the points table. Pakistan lost against India and New Zealand while Bangladesh were defeated by the same outfits. In case of rain on Thursday, Pakistan and Bangladesh would earn one point each.
Squads: Bangladesh: Nazmul Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid, Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain,Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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