Dot Dot Dot... Pak out of CT

Conservative batting approach remains biggest issue as tournament hosts handed early exit

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

JUST as Michael Bracewell punched Rishad Hossain at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday night, it sealed the fate of the two semifinalists from Group A in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. New Zealand knocked out Bangladesh with a five-wicket win, in the process confirming India's qualification and Pakistan's elimination from the tournament.

While New Zealand's win against Bangladesh on Monday came as the final nail in the coffin for tournament hosts, the actual reason for their downfall lies within. At a time when teams are trying to get ahead of the curve in how the ODI format is played, Pakistan seem to be stuck in the past decade. The top three taking time to build the innings, batting for 35 overs before giving a final push in the last 15 is a template several teams, including India, followed with a lot of success in the 2010s.