DUBAI: Captain Mohammad Rizwan said Pakistan`s middle order succumbed to the pressure in a Champions Trophy defeat by fierce rivals India on Sunday that left the tournament hosts` chances of progressing to the knockout stage hanging by a thread.

The defending champions were restricted to 241 all out in 49.4 overs and India comfortably chased down the total with six wickets and 45 balls remaining thanks to Virat Kohli`s unbeaten 100 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Rizwan, who scored 46 in a 104-run stand with Saud Shakeel (62), said his team had paid a heavy price for failing to build on the momentum.

`The middle order wasn`t good enough, Rizwan told reporters.

`The players performed well before this. In our meeting we had discussed that on this pitch around 270-280 would be enough (but) because the outfield was slow, the pitch was slow, the ball wasn`t going into the gaps.

`Saud and I tried to build a partnership and took a lot of time, but after that the shot selection was poor.

That`s where they got a chance to take our wickets.

Our middle order maybe couldn`t take the pressure.

Pakistan will be knocked out if New Zealand beat Bangladesh in Rawalpindi later on Monday.`For now, we can say that it`s over. This is the truth. We`ll see what Bangladesh do with New Zealand, what New Zealand do with India, and what we do,` Rizwan said. `As a captain, I don`t like this (depending on other teams). If you`re good enough, you show it by winning and keeping things in your hands.

`What matters is that India and New Zealand beat us. They played strong and we didn`t play well. If we get a chance (to sneak through) then so be it.

Meanwhile, Saud believed Pakistan must be better in every facet after a the deafeat.

`We did not play well in all three departments and that is why this result has come and we have to accept this,` Saud told reporters. `We are losing wickets in bunches and are not building big partnerships,` he said.

He added: `When we were batting the pitch played slow. We tried to bat deep but it did not happen.

`I am sure fans will be disappointed, just like we are.

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed said things didn`t go in Pakistan`s favour, but agreed with Saud.

`We have to change a lot of things within the group.

`This tournament is like that -you go out if you lose one match. We have to improve our batting and have to do more work on bowling.`-Agencies