Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan is optimistic to comeback despite his team’s disappointing 73-run loss to New Zealand in the first ODI at McLean Park, Napier on Saturday.
Speaking at the post-match conference, Rizwan acknowledged Pakistan’s early success in the game but pointed out their failure to capitalize on key moments.
He credited the bowlers for their disciplined start, emphasizing their ability to adapt to New Zealand’s conditions.
“Our bowlers were fantastic up front. They read the conditions well and executed their plans effectively. The decision to bowl first was the right one, but Chapman’s brilliant innings took the game away from us. We need to be better at capitalizing on key moments,” Rizwan stated.
Pakistan’s chase started with intent, and the team looked in control initially.
However, Rizwan admitted that they lost momentum in the crucial middle phase, which proved costly.
“We began the second innings with intent, executed our plans well, and were in a strong position. But as the pressure built up, we lost momentum in those three to four key overs, which ultimately cost us the match,” he explained.
Despite the loss, Rizwan highlighted the positives, particularly the experience gained by the three debutants in the squad. “Having three debutants in such conditions is a big learning experience.
Playing in New Zealand is always challenging, and this exposure will help them grow,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the Pakistan skipper remained optimistic about turning things around in the remaining two matches.
“The result didn’t go our way, but we have two more games. We’ll regroup, work on our mistakes, and come back stronger,” he concluded.
