The Pakistan cricket team has lost the ICC Champions Trophy opener against the New Zealand cricket team at the National Stadium. The result isn’t that shocking. In the recently concluded tri-series, they lost to the Black Ferns twice. But this isn’t a normal loss. This could be the final blow. Pakistan could be knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy.

ICC Champions Trophy: Pakistan’s semifinal qualification chances

The Men in Green have just two matches, but their chances of qualifying for the semifinal depend on ‘qudrat ka nizam.’ But even for God to help them, they first need to help themselves. You see, Pakistan’s last group-stage match against Bangladesh has a strong chance of a washout.

This means Pakistan has to beat India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Both New Zealand and India are stronger sides, they are expected to beat Bangladesh. The Kiwis will virtually qualify if that happens, and if India beats Pakistan, they will too. Pakistan needs to win their next match, then hope there is no washout against Bangladesh.

Rawalpindi Weather Report, February 27: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh

According to BBC Weather on February 27, from 2:30 PM IST (starting time of the match) to 10:30 PM IST, there is about a 48 to 70% chance of rain in Rawalpindi. This doesn’t bode well for Pakistan. Even a curtailed game might be difficult to happen.

Of course, Pakistan will be to blame if they don’t qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy semifinals. They had the New Zealand in their hands and ended up losing 60 runs. The pattern of depending upon ‘qudrat ka nizam’ can’t always work.