Pakistan team's quiet return after defeat to India in Champions Trophy
Cricket
Players' dejected expressions reflected disappointment of Sunday’s loss to India
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Following their defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan cricket team quietly returned home, landing in Islamabad after a stopover in Lahore.
The team’s flight first arrived in Lahore, where PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi and other board officials disembarked. The plane then continued its journey to Islamabad with the remaining players.
The atmosphere on board was unusually silent, with players avoiding conversation. Their dejected expressions reflected the disappointment of Sunday’s one-sided loss to India in Dubai.
In contrast to the lively trip to Dubai - where laughter and excitement filled the air - the return journey was marked by deep silence.
Chairman Naqvi had earlier joined the team in Dubai, where he hosted a dinner for the players and attended their pre-match practice session to boost morale.
However, after the defeat, the team’s mood had completely changed, with no warmth in interactions or smiles on faces.
Pakistan, the defending champions and tournament hosts, have now been eliminated from the Champions Trophy following consecutive losses to New Zealand and India.
However, the team still has one remaining group match against Bangladesh on Feb 27 in Rawalpindi.
Group A’s semi-final spots have been secured by India and New Zealand.
