Champions Trophy: Rain washes out Pakistan-Bangladesh

The ICC Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled to be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, has been cancelled.

The toss was set to take place at 1:30 PM (Pakistan time) but did not as intermittent rain lashed the twin cities. 

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have been awarded one point each.

The two countries are out of the tournament, as India and New Zealand from Group A have already qualified for the tournament semifinals.

Pakistan suffered a six-wicket loss to arch-rivals India in Dubai, following a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match in Karachi on February 19.

New Zealand routs Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy opener

New Zealand started their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with a commanding 60-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19.

Chasing a target of 321 runs, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered predictably, with the team getting bowled out for 260 runs. Khushdil Shah was the top scorer with 69 runs, while Babar Azam contributed 64 runs. 

Salman Agha added 42, Fakhar Zaman scored 24, and Haris Rauf chipped in with 19 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi added 14, Naseem Shah 13, Saud Shakeel 6, Captain Mohammad Rizwan 3 and Tayyab Tahir scored one run.

New Zealand's Will O'Rourke and captain Mitchell Santner took three wickets each. Matt Henry claimed two wickets, while Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith picked up one wicket each.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand posted a solid total of 320/5 in their 50 overs after being invited to bat first. However, their innings did not begin smoothly, as they lost three wickets for just 73 runs. Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell were dismissed for 10 runs each, while captain Kane Williamson fell for just one run.

New Zealand stabilized their innings with a crucial 118-run partnership between Will Young and Tom Latham. Young played a brilliant knock of 107 runs before getting out.

Following Young's dismissal, Latham and Glenn Phillips added another 125 runs to strengthen New Zealand's total. Phillips was dismissed in the 49.4th over after scoring 61 runs, while Latham remained unbeaten on 118.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah took two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed claimed one.

Pakistan squad

Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

New Zealand squad

Mitchell Santner, featuring Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Will O'Rourke.

Kohli steers India to comfortable win over Pakistan in Champions Trophy

India on Sunday defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the high-tension ICC Champions Trophy fixture as Virat Kohli steered his team to victory with a decisive century.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first but failed to play the full 50 overs, getting bowled out for 241 runs in 49.4 overs.

Pakistan lost its first wicket at 41 runs when Babar Azam returned to the pavillion after scoring 23 runs. Shortly after, Imam Ul Haq was run out for just 10 runs.

The third wicket fell at a total of 151 when captain Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for 46 runs off 77 balls. Saud Shakeel followed soon after, scoring 62 runs.

Pakistan suffered another blow at 165 runs when Tayyab Tahir departed after scoring only four runs. The team's struggles continued as vice-captain Salman Ali Agha was dismissed for 19 runs followed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned to the pavilion without scoring any runs.

The lower order couldn't contribute much with Naseem Shah scoring 14, Haris Rauf 8 and Khushdil Shah 38 runs.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav led the bowling attack, taking three wickets. Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets, while Ajay Jadeja, Harshit Rana and Axar Patel claimed one wicket each.

The Indian team comfortably chased the target, reaching 242 runs for the loss of four wickets. The highlight of the chase was Kohli's masterclass.

The star Indian batter scored 100 runs off 111 balls. His knock cemented India's win, sending hosts and defending champions Pakistan virtually out of the tournament.