'Brainless' - Ahmed Shehzad critiques Mohammad Rizwan's decision to bat first in tri-series final

The final of the Tri-Nation series comprising Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand was played on February 14 at the National Stadium in Karachi. Pakistan and New Zealand competed for the trophy and it was the latter, who emerged victorious in the ultimate showdown. Pakistan, who walked in as favourites, were outclassed by five wickets. 

The series was important for all three teams. A series win could have boosted morale going into the crucial Champions Trophy 2025. After the home team's loss, former Pakistan cricketer, Ahmed Shehzad came hard at skipper, Mohammad Rizwan for his miscalculation at the toss. 

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“It was a mind-boggling decision (to bat first) because we had seen in the previous match that the pitch becomes better to bat on in the night, the ball doesn’t grip on the surface for the spinners. Still, the Pakistan team decided to bat first. Brainless decision, they had no clue,” said Shehzad as quoted by India Today. 

"In a final, you are making childish decisions...you are making so many mistakes in matches. You get a chance to win only when the opposition performs below par or don’t have their main players playing," he added. 

New Zealand bowlers put a squeeze on us: Rizwan

Rizwan won the toss and anticipated the pitch to be dry and favour batting. But the Pakistan batters struggled and lost wickets in chunks, particularly in the middle overs. 

“We wanted to bat first because we thought in the second half, the pitch would be tough. But their bowlers put a squeeze on us. We were looking to target 280 but they got it back. We were 15 runs short. They were bowling very well. Me and Agha were trying to build the stand. We tried doing that, but they were not giving us the balls. We kept the target to 280, not 300. My wicket was crucial. [Fielding] We have to bring the improvement. This is one department we are lacking. [Abrar] He has really improved. The others have to improve as well. [CT'25] We wanted to prepare for the 19th as well. So that is why we wanted to bat first as well,” said Rizwan.