Key takeaways from Pakistan, Bangladesh's disappointing Champions Trophy campaigns
What's the story
The Champions Trophy Group A match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, which was to be played in Rawalpindi, was called off due to inclement weather in Rawalpindi.
The cancelation came as a disappointment for both teams, who were already out of the race for the semi-finals.
Notably, this was the last league game for both these teams. Here we decode the key takeaways from their campaigns.
Campaign conclusion
Disappointing end to Pakistan and Bangladesh's Champions Trophy campaign
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh finished their respective campaigns without a single win.
Both teams suffered defeats against India and New Zealand before the dead rubber between them got abandoned.
This result is especially heartbreaking for Pakistan, who co-hosted the tournament and started their campaign as the defending champions.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh had shortcomings in all three departments and the same impacted their campaign.
Semi-final qualifiers
New Zealand and India secure semi-final spots in Champions Trophy
Pakistan and Bangladesh's exit means New Zealand and India go through the semi-finals from Group A.
New Zealand secured their place after beating Pakistan by 60 runs in Karachi and Bangladesh by five wickets in matches at Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, India reached the semi-finals after registering six-wicket triumphs against both Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dubai.
Batting failure
Pakistan marred by top-order woes
Pakistan's performance was marred by the failure of their top-order batters.
Saud Shakeel (62 vs India) and Babar Azam (64 vs NZ) were the half-centurions among Pakistan's top-six batters.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan's form was also a concern as the Men in Green were bundled out for 260 and 241 against NZ and India, respectively.
Pakistan's scores would have been even lesser had Khushdil Shah, who batted at number seven, not recorded scores worth 69 and 38.
Bowling
Failure of bowlers
Pakistan's pace attack, which was earlier touted as the best in the tournament, failed to deliver.
While each of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed just two wickets apiece in the competition, only Naseem (5.55) had an economy below 7.8.
Abrar Ahmed, the lone specialist spinner in the squad, also claimed two wickets though his economy was 3.75.
This reflects Pakistan missed a trick by not picking another proper spinner.
Bangladesh's batting struggles
Bangladesh's performance mirrors Pakistan's struggles
Just like Pakistan, Bangladesh's Champions Trophy journey was marred by their batting struggles.
The side relied heavily on their lower order to rescue them from dire straits.
While they were reduced to 35/5 against India, the NZ game saw them reeling at 118/5.
However, they crossed the 220-run mark on both occasions as Towhid Hridoy made a ton versus India and Jaker Ali recorded scores worth 68 and 45.
Prominent names Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim let Bangladesh down.
Bowling
How Bangladesh fared in the bowling department?
Bangladesh bowlers showed spark in both games as they reduced NZ to 15/2. Meanwhile, India were 144/4 at one stage while chasing 239.
However, their bowlers failed to apply constant pressure and hence lost both games comprehensively.
The failure of veteran pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed significantly hurt the team.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who dismissed three batters, was the only Bangladesh bowlers with more than two wickets.