NEW DELHI: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 event ambassador and former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has urged the hosts to maintain a smart and intense approach when they face India on February 23 in Dubai.
Sarfaraz, who captained Pakistan to their memorable Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, highlighted the unique pressure and excitement surrounding an India-Pakistan clash.
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“Whenever we meet, it is a special occasion and there is so much hype and pressure around it,” he shared in an exclusive column with the ICC. “But as players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and just play with the same intensity as you would play Australia or any other team.”
He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to defend their title under captain Mohammad Rizwan. “Pakistan have a really good chance of defending that title and I think they have a strong team. Some of the boys from 2017 are still there and we’re talking about some of the best – especially Babar Azam.
“He is a different Babar to the one that played in 2017, a more mature player and a dominant player in the game. His batting will be so important for Pakistan and so will Fakhar Zaman’s.”
Sarfaraz also highlighted Pakistan’s bowling strength, citing Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf as key players. “With the ball, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are brilliant bowlers and are playing well. The captain, Mohammad Rizwan, is also a wicketkeeper-batter, which worked pretty well for me back in 2017!”
Unlike in the ICC ODI World Cup or the T20 World Cup, where India have dominated, Pakistan hold a 3-2 edge in their Champions Trophy encounters. Pakistan will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 18 in Karachi before facing India in a high-stakes match on February 23 in Dubai.