ISLAMABAD: Pakistan were crashed out of the Champions Trophy after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh in their group stage encounter in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Bangladesh’s middle order capitulated against the off-spin of Michael Bracewell, who took 4-26 in 10 overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 77 to lead Bangladesh to 236-9.

Rachin Ravindra, who took a blow on the forehead in a game 16 days ago and missed the last three one-day internationals, recovered to strike 112 off 105 balls and carry New Zealand to 240-5 in 46.1 overs.

The victory eliminated tournament hosts and defending champions, Pakistan, and Bangladesh from contention, while it also advanced India to the semifinals. Pakistan have been under fire since losing their group-stage match to India on Sunday.

“I don’t say this lightly. I didn’t see an effort [by Pakistan]. I didn’t see the, you know, the wanting to be out there and putting themselves in the fire line, you know, I didn’t see that,” former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq said in an Arab News-hosted Instagram live after Sunday’s match.

“And it’s been too long now, you know, it’s been, it’s been far too long.”

Both New Zealand and India have two wins from two matches and will now meet in Dubai on Sunday to decide team one and two from the group.

Pakistan, who won the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, lost their opening match to New Zealand in the first International Cricket Council (ICC) event they are hosting since the 1996 ODI World Cup.

Pakistan were also knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after losing to co-hosts USA.

Angry and dejected Pakistan fans have also demanded the country’s cricket stars be held accountable for the national squad’s lackluster performance in the tournament, which led to a crushing defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals.

“We’re always praying for Pakistan’s success, but prayers alone aren’t enough,” Iqra Tahir, a cricket fan in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, told Reuters. “We need to focus on improving our performance. It’s time for us to take responsibility and work on our game.”